Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Stamford Bridge Fulham Rd London, England SW6 1HS United Kingdom Chelsea FC website Stamford Bridge website Year Opened: 1877 Capacity: 41,623 Stamford Bridge – Home of the Blues Stamford Bridge is one of the most storied stadiums in London and the United Kingdom. While Chelsea FC’s recent success has added to the history of the venue, there were times in the 1970s and 1980s when few would have guessed that it would eventually be home to London’s first European champion club after Chelsea won the 2012 Champions League. The stadium itself was initially built in 1877, long before Chelsea FC came into existence. It was owned by the London Athletic Club, who used it almost exclusively for track and field meetings. In 1904, the deeds to the ground were bought by one Mr HA (Gus) Mears and his brother Mr JT Mears, who had the intention of using the 12.5 acres as a home for a football club. Initially, Stamford Bridge was offered to Fulham FC, but when they declined, Chelsea FC came into life and have been there ever since. The famous Shed (south) End of the stadium — where most of Chelsea’s hardcore fans go — was built in the 1930s and remained until it was knocked down and turned into an all-seater stand in 1994. There was further redevelopment in the 1960s and 1970s, and the East Stand that was built in 1973 stills survives as part of a thoroughly modern stadium. In the late 70s, there were grossly ambitious plans to turn the Bridge into a 50,000 all-seater arena, but the powers-that-be had bitten off more than they could chew, and their plans almost brought the club to its knees. In the 1980s, when both hooliganism was at its height and the “Chelsea Headhunters” firm was running amok at home and abroad, Stamford Bridge was almost adorned with electric wires at the top of the fences that penned in fans. An idea of their publicity-seeking chairman of the time, Ken Bates, it was quickly put down. The final stage of development came in the early 1990s when the Shed, West, and North stands, were pulled down and rebuilt to turn Stamford Bridge into a highly-luxurious stadium that features 5-star restaurants, hotels, and numerous entertainment facilities that is a world away from the Headhunter days when rival fans would try and get away as soon as possible, if they dared go down the Bridge at all; such was the probability of violence. With the Champions League in the trophy cabinet and Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich’s millions furnishing the team with world stars, the plan is to go bigger yet. Sadly, not at their one and only home, which is penned in by nearby houses and businesses and thus means that the search for a larger site that can comfortably hold 60,000 or more is well underway. Food & Beverage 5 Not many stadiums around the world have a Michelin-starred restaurant, but that is exactly what Chelsea have. Marco, run by award winning British chef Marco Pierre White, doesn’t serve the traditional food of a pie and pint, nor does it cost what you would pay for such fare. A three-course pre-match meal with half a bottle of wine and water comes in at £70 ($113). In fact, anyone going to Stamford Bridge certainly should not be heading home without a full belly with the wide range of drinking and eating establishments near the stadium. In the ground, there is a good range of the traditional options of pies pasties, chips, soft drinks, beer, and wine. Pints of beer or (plastic) glasses of wine go for £4; soft drinks are about £2.50, and pies, hot dogs and burgers about £5 ($8). Chocolate and crisps come in about £2 as well. Still, the quality is good and just what’s needed on a cold January afternoon. Post-match there is a sports-bar, Frankies, on-site, but don’t expect much change back from £20 for a round of four drinks. Outside the ground, Fulham Road has endless dining options: Italian, Indian, Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, steakhouse. You name it, it will probably be an option. The main pub around Fulham Broadway station is Brogans (turn right out of the station) which serves the usual range of beer, wine, spirits, and soft drinks as well as traditional pub grub such as fish and chips and bangers and mash (sausages, mash potatoes, and onion gravy). A walk of 15 minutes or so turning left out of the stadium and the station takes you to another part of Fulham Road which is replete with bars, pubs, and restaurants. Two pubs to look out for are the Fulham Tup and The Goat in Boots. Atmosphere 4 Most rival fans will tell you that Chelsea is populated by glory-hunting newcomers who have been seduced by Chelsea’s run of success in the last 10-15 years. In fact, there remain a large proportion of the crowd who remember the bad old days of the late 1970s and 80s when the club nearly went bust. As such, they are more than ready to make their voices heard and maintain the spirit of the old Shed, which was once among the most revered terraces for producing an electric atmosphere in a British stadium. Of course, the success of the club in recent years has meant that there has been a lot of high-profile matches in which the prize of a championship or place in a final has been on the line. That, in itself, has upped the tension and featured both the team and fans playing off one another. The Shed End and North Stand are still the heart of the atmosphere and they are decked out in banners, most notably to captain John Terry and star midfielder Frank Lampard. Neighborhood 4 Chelsea is one of London’s and Europe’s most salubrious areas, something that is reflected in their matchday program where a local estate agent runs adverts for £2million ($3.5million) apartments within walking distance of the stadium. That said, if you’re passing through it is probably one of the most pleasant areas surrounding a sports stadium anywhere in the world. Fulham Road is certainly a charming retail and entertainment street, but walk a few blocks and you reach the Kings Road, which was at the heart of London in the swinging 60s and made famous by Michael Caine, among others. Prices in the various shops, restaurants, bars, and nightclubs are more for those whose earnings match a Premiership footballer, so for mere mortals, window shopping and people watching are the most affordable options in that particular part of town. Fans 3 With success and the club’s location to the centre of London, there are certainly a number of day-trippers to the stadium taking in a match during their visit to London on a match day. Nonetheless, there are still vocal hardcore fans trying to keep the atmosphere lively. The chants aren’t the most original, with “Chelsea, Chelsea” and “Come on Chelsea” the most noticeable. Their PA system does blast out the club’s anthem “Blue Is The Colour” from time to time to keep things bubbly. In contrast to the past when a trip to the Bridge was considered one of the most likely to turn into violence, the majority of fans are friendly and happy to chat. Besides, such is the cost of watching a match (see below) that most fans are hell bent on extracting the most they can out of their 90 minutes. Access 4 Whatever you do, do not travel to Chelsea FC by car. The roads around the stadium quickly clog up, especially on a Saturday afternoon, and there is precious little parking available nearby; what there is doesn’t come cheap. By far, the best bet is the Tube. The nearest station is Fulham Broadway and a quarter-mile walk (or long clearance) away from Stamford Bridge. The stop is on the district line, which runs north, south, east, and west and is about a 15 minute ride to the heart of London’s West End. There are two buses that run past Stamford Bridge: the 211 and the 414 (check Transport for London for where and when they run). For those who fancy a James Bond-esque entrance for a midweek match, there is a water bus that runs along the Thames from central London and stops at Westminster Pier right next to the Houses of Parliament before heading west to Chelsea Pier; from there, it is a just over a mile. However, it only runs from Monday to Friday and stops at 6.20pm. Return on Investment 3 Tickets at Chelsea don’t come cheap. For a category AA home match against the likes of Manchester United or Arsenal, the cheapest ticket is £30, but as that is part of the family stand, the purchaser will need at least one child with him or her with that ticket costing about £20. Prices drop for category A and B matches, though nothing below £40 ($65) for an adult. Interestingly, tickets for the Champions League group stages are the cheapest on offer at £50. Once you’re into the knockout stages, though, prices go through the roof. Of course, Chelsea’s status as one of the Premier League and Europe’s top sides means you are always likely to be entertained and see some goals; the stadium is comfortable, modern, and clean; and programs are reasonably priced at £3. Even so, there remains the slight feeling throughout your time at the Bridge that you are nothing more than a customer who the club will happily squeeze until they have got every last penny out of you. Meanwhile, everywhere you look you are reminded of the money the club has spent, from the Copthorne and Millennium Hotels to the price tags in the club shop and the cost of dining in the restaurant. Extras 3 Like all clubs, Chelsea has its own Megastore on site, next to the main entrance, with a smaller version selling the most popular goods across the other side of the stadium. Once in, you are able to purchase pretty much anything with a Chelsea badge on it, from playing and training kit to DVDs, coffee mugs and baby’s bibs. Fans can also go on a tour of the stadium and visit the club museum at a pretty fair cost of £18 ($30) for the two. The tour takes visitors pretty much all over the venue and once in the museum, queues quickly form for fans to have their photo taken with the Champions League trophy.

Matthews Arena is the oldest hockey arena in the country, but is it the Palestra of Boston? Is there a difference between the hockey and basketball experiences? Grab a good beer and join Dave and Paul as they head WAY back in Boston sports history to discuss the venerable Matthews Arena and Northeastern Huskies. 🏒🏀 You can find Stadium Journey's review of Matthews Arena and the Northeastern Huskies hockey game day experience here. You can find Stadium Journey's review of Matthews Arena and the Northeastern Huskies basketball game day experience here.

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Fifth Third Bank Stadium 3200 George Busbee Pkwy Kennesaw, GA 30144 Kennesaw State Owls website Fifth Third Bank Stadium website Year Opened: 2015 Capacity: 10,200 Protect the Nest After the program took flight in 2015, the Kennesaw State Owls spent seven seasons as members of first the Big South Conference (2015-2021), one season in the Atlantic Sun Conference (2022), and their final in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) as an independent program. This year marks the Owls inaugural season as part of the Football Bowl Series (FBS), as they recently became members of Conference USA. The Owls made quite the name for themselves in FCS, starting with seven straight winning seasons while capturing three Big South Conference titles, as well as four invites to the FCS playoffs. The home of the Kennesaw State Owls, Fifth Third Stadium is a multi-purpose facility that also houses Kennesaw State’s soccer and lacrosse programs, along w ith the Atlanta United 2 , Atlanta United’s developmental team.   Food & Beverage   3 Concessions are rather standard around the stadium – they are made up of hot dogs, nachos with cheese and salsa, soft baked pretzels, and popcorn; candy and chips are also available. The stands in the main seating area do have a few more options, including pizza slices and burgers. Coca-Cola products are the beverage of choice at Fifth Third Stadium. There is also a rather extensive beer and cocktail menu offered here – besides the typical domestic beers, you can find the Kennesaw State-New Realm collaboration “Owl In” American Lager, in addition to the Hazy Like a Fox hazy IPA, also from New Realm. You can also find Avondale Estate, Georgia’s Emergency Drinking Beer, as well as canned cocktails from Long Drink and Good Days, plus White Claw seltzers.   Atmosphere   3 The exterior of Fifth Third Stadium uses black and yellow aluminum panels and steeply angled rooflines to give it an industrially modern feel. The home side stands to have an interesting setup, with a press box that resembles shipping containers. The press box configuration works well with the feel of the stadium, but it does obstruct the view of the field from the concourse. The seating is primarily a combination of individual fold-down and molded seats. The home side seats are backed by suites, which sit below the level of the concourse, while the molded seats are found along nearly the entirety of the visitor’s side of the field, except the area reserved for the Kennesaw State band, the Marching Owls. The southern end of the seating bowl has aluminum-backed benches and a corner section of high-top tables. Temporary bleachers are also brought in along the northern end, on what also doubles as a concert stage. Stoppages in play are typically filled with ad reads, along with scoreboard games and interactive pieces, which have become commonplace throughout sports stadium experiences. The owl theme permeates the game experience, as 1st Downs are celebrated by the stadium announcer calling, “That’s an Owl first down!” followed by a burst of the school’s fight song from the band, and capped by the fans letting out a “hooooooo” in unison. It is a fun way to pull the owl theme into the game presentation. The stadium, on the whole, works just fine as a college football stadium but more exudes the feel of a high-quality soccer ground than that of an FBS-level stadium.   Neighborhood   4 Fifth Third Stadium is wedged between Interstates 75 and 575 to the east and west and sandwiched between Barrett Parkway and Chastain Road to the north and south. These are a collection of the area’s most traveled thoroughfares in the northwestern Atlanta suburb of Kennesaw, which is just under a mile from the heart of the Kennesaw State campus. With so many food options in the area, there is sure to be something for all tastes. One of the more popular is the regional chain Taco Mac, which serves a refined pub-style menu with over 100 beers available on tap and in cans or bottles. The area is surrounded by multiple shopping centers, restaurants, and hotels. With such a high concentration of shopping, food options, and lodging, visitors from out of town have just about everything they might need for a football weekend in Kennesaw, all within a mile radius of the stadium. Kennesaw was the site of several battles during the Civil War, and much of that history is recognized throughout the area. The Southern Railroad Museum tells the story of the Big Shanty Train Chase, while Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield has a Civil War Museum of its own, along with miles of trails up and around Kennesaw Mountain – both of these would be possible options to fill time before evening kickoffs.   Fans   3 Owl fans do a decent job filling out the stadium every week. The size of the stadium does help in creating an atmosphere that does not feel cavernous, which might swallow up any potential excitement in a sea of empty seats. The student section as well, while modest in size, is still rather spirited and into the game. What hurts the atmosphere fans can create here is that Conference USA is rather dispersed, with teams stretching across the southeastern states and into Texas and New Mexico – these distances can significantly impact the numbers of fans traveling. While this definitely is not on Kennesaw State, it can adversely impact the overall role fans in the stands can play in the overall experience.   Access   3 One of the challenges associated with KSU games is that a handful are played midweek or on Friday nights. Given Atlanta traffic, this can create difficulties simply getting to Kennesaw for a 7 pm kickoff. A secret to make getting to the stadium as easy as possible is taking the I-75 Peach Pass Lane, if possible – the Big Shanty exit leaves the easiest access to the parking areas at Fifth Third Stadium. Most of the parking lots are just a short walk from the western main entrance to the stadium. To help with the foot traffic, an hour before kickoff, Busbee Parkway, just outside the facility, is shut down to allow waves of fans to easily cross the street. Before the street is shut down, though, crossing directly in front of the venue can be a bit dicey. Approaching via Big Shanty Road and crossing at the crosswalk at the intersection with Busbee is much easier, and this also leads directly to the southwestern gate for easy access. Most fans will enter on the concourse that runs above the seating bowl, from the south end zone around to the northwest corner of the stadium. The remainder of the concourse drops down to field level and does become a bit awkward in spots where it involves passing through the visiting team as they make last-minute preparations for the game. In general, the concourse at Fifth Third Stadium is spacious, leaving fans with plenty of room to move around. However, the far side, which houses a portion of the visiting fans, as well as the Kennesaw State student section, just does not seem as easy to navigate as the concourse across the way.   Return on Investment   4 Tickets start at $15 for end zone bleacher seats at the northern end of the field – these seats are pushed back a bit more from the field than their southern end zone counterparts, which start at $20. Seats along each sideline start at $34 and $50 at midfield, but on the plus side, there are no additional fees added to tickets, which is always since. Parking at one of the satellite lots away from the stadium runs $15; when compared to parking for football games, this does seem to be a reasonable rate. Parking in the tailgating Black Lot does get a bit pricy at $48, but inside the stadium, prices seem to be consistent with what would be seen at other similar venues. Kennesaw State allows fans to have the experience they are looking for at affordable rates.   Extras   4 In the backdrop of the tailgating area is a reminder of the school’s mountainous namesake. The outline of the ridgeline of Kennesaw Mountain, a rather modestly sized mountain at that, sits prominently in the distance. A small strip of grass that separates the sidewalk from the stadium is home to Owl Town. Here, fans can grab a bite to eat or a drink or hang out and listen to live music before heading into the stadium. Oscar the Grouch is a live owl that fans can have their picture taken with on the concourse. Oscar typically leaves before halftime, though, so visit him early. Mascot Scrappy is a constant at just about all Kennesaw State athletic events, making his way around the stadium greeting fans, taking photos, and is a part of just about every aspect of the game.   Final Thoughts The Owls have the smallest stadium in all of FBS, and it actually works in their favor. Being able to fill the stands with smaller crowds goes a long way in amplifying the overall atmosphere at Fifth Third Stadium. Several other teams throughout Conference USA might average more fans per game, but the game atmosphere at those venues can easily get lost in their larger stadiums with more emptiness. As Kennesaw State football starts a new chapter in its rel atively young history, it will need to continue to build its fan base to keep up as one of college football’s newest FBS-level programs. With in-state opponents Georgia State , Georgia Southern , and border rival Jacksonville State also r elatively recent additions to FBS, it certainly is a situation that can create a fun and festive college football experience.

Photos by Joseph Oakes and Various, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Lenovo Center 1400 Edwards Mill Rd Raleigh, NC 27607 North Carolina State Wolfpack website Lenovo Center website Year Opened: 1999 Capacity: 19,700 “Pack”ing the House Editor's note: On September 19, 2024, PNC Arena was renamed as the Lenovo Center. This review, written before the name change, reflects the previous name. NC State basketball began playing at PNC Arena when it opened in 1999, replacing the historic Reynolds Coliseum on campus. The facility has gone by three names since it opened: the Entertainment and Sports Arena, the RBC Center, and now the PNC Arena. The arena is located about 2 miles from NC State’s main campus, and sits next door to Carter-Finley Stadium, home of the NC State football team. PNC Arena boasts 19,700 red seats, and is also the home to the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes. Even though the venue is approaching 25 years old, it is still a modern arena for ACC basketball. Food & Beverage 3 PNC Arena offers a wide selection of food and beverage choices; however, the prices are quite high. There is no shortage of concession choices as you make your way through the concourses. The permanent stands offer your generic stadium food: grilled brisket sandwich with fries ($15.50), hot dogs with fries ($12.50), chicken tenders with fries ($15.50), nachos & cheese ($7), peanuts ($6.50), soft pretzel ($6.50), and popcorn ($8.00). Bottled Pepsi products are sold at these stands for $6, and bottled water is $5.50. There is also a good selection of bottled and draft beer ranging from $9-$15. Also, throughout the arena, you can find Chick-Fil-A and Cinnabon stands, as well as various ice cream choices. If you are a fan of BBQ, your best bet is to check out one of the several North Carolina BBQ stands scattered throughout the arena. These stands offer two favorites of mine: a BBQ sandwich and BBQ nachos. Pair these with a sweet tea or a Cheerwine, and you are in business. While there is a great selection of concession choices, the extremely high prices knock the ranking down a bit and therefore, we recommend eating before you go to the game. Atmosphere 4 The atmosphere at NC State basketball games is special, especially if you are attending a weekend ACC game. The first thing you notice when entering the seating bowl is the giant Tuffy wolf at center court. Nearly every fan in attendance wear red NC State apparel and cheer their hearts out. The seating at PNC Arena is separated into three different levels: a lower level, and middle club level, and an upper level. Both the lower level and middle club levels offer great views of the court and excellent sightlines. The upper level offers a nice view of the arena; however, since the arena is designed for hockey, the seats in the corners are a bit far from the action. If you are going to sit in the upper level, I would advise sitting courtside. The suites are located at the top of the lower and club levels. Students literally surround the court at PNC Arena, in a pit-like area along both sidelines and end zones. The pep band and cheerleaders also do their part in keeping the crowd fired up. One neat cheer is when one side of the arena yells WOLF, and the other side responds with PACK. NC State also has two mascots: Mr. and Mrs. Wuf. A large four-sided scoreboard hangs above center court and provides video replays along with the score, fouls, time-outs, and out-of-town scores. There are also ribbon boards on the overhangs of both the club and upper levels. Neighborhood 2 PNC Arena was built adjacent to Carter-Finley Stadium in West Raleigh near the NC State Fairgrounds. While there is plenty of parking and great tailgating, there is little to do within walking distance before or after the game. The only restaurant within walking distance is the Backyard Bistro, located across the street. This is a great place to hang out and get food and drinks before a game. Likewise, the only hotel in walking distance is the Arena Suites which is behind the Backyard Bistro. Since you will most likely be driving to the arena, be sure to check out Amedeos Italian Restaurant near campus which is full of NC State memorabilia. Area activities to consider are the NC Museum of Art and Park, which is about 1 mile from the arena, and the NC state capitol and museums in downtown Raleigh. Fans 4 NC State has some of the most passionate basketball fans in the country. While the program may not be the national championship contender that it was in the 70s and 80s, the fan support is top-notch. Wolfpack fans are knowledgeable and supportive of the team but are also tough on opposing teams and officials. While the large arena does push the fans away from the action somewhat, the student section that surrounds the court is always loud and vocal. NC State does not sell out every game in the spacious PNC Arena and can seem too big for non-conference over the holidays. However, expect 15-16K for weekend ACC games and a sellout whenever Duke and UNC come to town. Access 4 PNC Arena is easily accessible by car as it sits near the intersection of I-40 and I-440 in West Raleigh. If you are flying into the area, the Raleigh-Durham airport is only 10 miles away and provides all the major airlines. Parking is plentiful but is $20 if you do not have a parking pass. Across the street at the fairgrounds, parking normally is free. When we attended in 2023, there were many signs up saying “no event parking”. However, after the game, we noticed that there were several cars parked there for the game The security staff entering PNC Arena does seem a little “strict” at times, so allow yourself some extra time when entering the arena. Once inside, the arena is easily navigable with three concourses serving the three levels. The arena is well-signed so you can easily find your section. Return on Investment 2 Attending an NC State basketball game will be a little tough on your wallet, especially if it is an ACC game. A few single-game lower-level tickets are normally available for ACC games for $45. Upper-level tickets range from $15-$30. Add in $20 parking and concession and you are looking at $60 per person minimum. If you are looking to save some money, purchase tickets through the secondary market for a non-conference game. This will save you quite a bit! Extras 3 The NC State pep band is great and keeps the crowd fired up throughout the game, and fans sing to the fight song. Two mascots: Mr. and Mrs. Wuf make their way through the crowd entertaining fans. Chick-Fila has a promotion that if an opposing player misses two consecutive free throws in the final 8 minutes, everyone goes home with a free chicken sandwich through the app. This causes the crowd to get extra rowdy in the final minutes when an opposing player is shooting free throws. Final Thoughts Basketball is king on Tobacco Road. While PNC Arena is what immediately comes to mind when thinking of great ACC venues, it is still a fun and exciting place to catch a game.

Photos by Eric Moreno, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 TDECU Stadium 3875 Holman St Houston, TX 77004 Houston Roughnecks website TDECU Stadium website Year Opened: 2014 Capacity: 40,000 Houston Roughnecks – TDECU Stadium The XFL returned in full force in 2023 with a new spring season and new owners Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and his business partner, Dany Garcia. After the unplanned hiatus caused by the pandemic, the returned league brought back with it one of its cornerstone franchises, the Houston Roughnecks . Playing at the home of the University of Houston Cougars, TDECU Stadium, the Roughnecks quickly became a fan favorite in Space City. TDECU Stadium was built on the former site of Robertson Stadium, which was the home of Cougars football since 1946. Robertson Stadium was razed in early 2013. TDECU Stadium opened in August 2014 at a cost of $128 million. In their first season, they drew respectable crowds and made the playoffs. TDECU Stadium proved to be the perfect venue for the fledgling league and team. It still retains that “new stadium” feel, and is just the right size for the XFL going forward. Food & Beverage 4 While all the food and drink options that are available for Cougars games aren’t open for the Roughnecks, what is there is still more than adequate. The variety offered is, quite frankly, pretty impressive. In addition to the kiosks that offer the standard fare of hot dogs, popcorn, candy, fountain sodas, and bottled drinks, there are plenty of other options to choose from. Additional offerings include a Chick-fil-A stand, selling their signature chicken sandwiches and lemonade, a Fuddruckers stand, selling burgers, and a Shipley’s Do-Nuts stand, with all manner of fried, sugary goodness. Perhaps the most unique stand is local fave Miss Patty’s , which sells cheesesteaks and fried catfish. There are also stands for gourmet popcorn, pizza, chicken fingers, and street tacos; truly anything a sports fan could want is on the metaphorical menu. There is also a tequila bar for those looking to do some serious imbibing during Roughnecks games. Atmosphere 3 I had the benefit of attending the Roughnecks playoff game, so I can’t 100% say that the atmosphere I got to experience was typical for a regular-season contest. With that being said, what I did experience on my visit was the best atmosphere I’ve seen to date for the XFL. There were a lot of fans in the parking lots and in the areas surrounding the stadium, which always helps the energy inside. The XFL also had plenty of signage throughout the stadium to add to the atmosphere. Also, sprinkled throughout the stadium, on the main concourse, are several team stores selling all manner of Roughnecks and XFL gear. Neighborhood 4 TDECU Stadium is located right in the middle of the University of Houston’s campus. It is within walking distance of both the Fertitta Center and Schroeder Park , home to the school’s basketball and baseball teams, respectively. If you time things out right, you can probably catch one or more of these other teams in action, as both are in season with the Roughnecks. Houston is the largest city in Texas and the fourth largest in the U.S. That said, there are a multitude of additional entertainment options to choose from, especially on the sports side. The reigning MLB World Series champion Houston Astros and two-time NBA champion Houston Rockets both call (naturally) Space City their home. Like their collegiate counterparts, both teams’ seasons overlap with the Roughnecks. Outside of sports, Houston has a lot to offer visitors. From culture and history to zoos , aquariums , and shopping , Houston has it all. No matter what your interests are, you’re sure to find something to do either before or after a Roughnecks game. In terms of dining and lodging, the options around UH’s campus aren’t going to be five-star or gourmet choices. However, Houston proper (especially downtown) has something for every taste and budget. In the immediate vicinity, for dining you can find a couple of fast-casual options – these include Eric’s Restaurant , which offers up sandwiches, wraps, salads, and fish options. Also close by is Frenchy’s Chicken , a darn good fried chicken spot. Fans 3 The crowd at TDECU Stadium was quite impressive during my visit. Lots of folks came out decked in Roughnecks gear – as well as Oilers and Astros gear. There was also a decent number of Arlington Renegades fans, which helped make the energy even more palpable. The Roughneck fans in attendance did a good job of making this feel like a big-time game. They were loud and engaged the whole game through. It was by far the best crowd experience I’ve seen to date among the XFL games I attended this season. Access 4 The University of Houston campus and TDECU Stadium are located in the middle of a triangle of highways and freeways, namely Interstates 45 and 610, and state highway 69. This makes it imminently reachable from anywhere in Space City. The campus is a three-and-a-half-hour drive from San Antonio, four hours from Austin, and just under four hours from the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex. It is also just a 40-minute drive from George W. Bush Intercontinental Airport and about 20 minutes from William P. Hobby Airport. Both are massive and have flights in and out of H-Town to sites across the globe non-stop. Once you’re on campus, parking is plentiful in the many lots around the athletic complex, including a covered parking garage directly across from TDECU Stadium. The costs will run you $25 to $40, depending on how close you want to get to the stadium. The Houston METRORail also features a stop just outside TDECU Stadium, so if you choose not to drive, this is a great option. I say this with my usual caveat when it comes to Houston; if you’re going to drive to a Roughnecks game, build in time to accommodate for Houston traffic – you will be in it for some time, so plan accordingly. Return on Investment 3 Single-game tickets for the Houston Roughnecks start at $27 per person. This is a pretty good bargain for professional football. Parking is a little bit on the high side (costing as much as $40); however, there are cheaper options if you seek them out. Also on the plus side, the concession costs still retain their University of Houston price points; some options are higher end, but there are plenty of bargains to be had. Extras 3 One of the issues I’ve had with the XFL as a whole this season is their lack of pageantry. I think that football games are events and should be treated as such. I have reconciled the XFL’s lack of pomp and circumstance with the probable need to keep budgets under control. All that being said, the Roughnecks did a much better job compared to other XFL teams I have seen. For example, Houston has two pseudo-mascots dressed as roughnecks patrolling one of the end zones, interacting with the crowd, and waving a Houston Roughnecks flag in celebration of scores. There also seemed to be more XFL signage here, in addition to having a local high school marching band perform at halftime. The Roughnecks have a lot of room for growth and improvement, but this was a decent start. Final Thoughts All in all, I’m glad the XFL made its return, and I’m hopeful that some of the lessons learned from this season can be implemented for another year. Games at TDECU Stadium have always been enjoyable, and this was no exception. If you’re a football fan, the more of it you can consume – especially in person – the better. The Roughnecks put a pretty good product on the field, and TDECU Stadium is a great venue. If you’re in Space Town for the next XFL season, catch a game if you can. Follow Eric Moreno's Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477 .

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Rawlings Field Bartley Blvd Pueblo, CO 81001 CSU-Pueblo ThunderWolves website Rawlings Field website Year Opened: 1994 Capacity: 2,500 Pack Baseball Colorado State University-Pueblo is a public higher education institution based in southern Colorado. The athletic teams of CSU-Pueblo are known as the ThunderWolves and the motto of the athletic department is Developing Champions through Athletics. The baseball program for CSU-Pueblo began in 1964, had a brief hiatus from 1986 until 1994, when the program was picked up again and the team began prospering under Coach Stan Sanchez. The ThunderWolves play in the NCAA Division II RMAC (Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) and have had winning seasons for most of those years including going to the 1996 NCAA Division II College World Series. They play at Rawlings Field on the campus of CSU-Pueblo, which is said to be one of the nicer ballparks in the RMAC. Let’s find out. Food & Beverage 2 The food offerings at Rawlings Field are minimal. This is similar to other RMAC baseball fields. Concessions are in the lower level of the press box in the entryway behind home plate and consist of hot dogs, nachos, candy and seeds. Drinks are Pepsi, water, and Gatorade. Prices for these snacks range from $2 – $4.25. It’s a cash only concession stand. No outside food or beverages are allowed, though that is not enforced at the baseball game. Atmosphere 3 The ThunderWolves baseball game experience is ho-hum. All seats are in the sun so remember to bring sun screen. A net is across the entire seating area which extends all the way behind the dugouts. Behind home base are four sections of seven rows of standard blue fold down stadium seats. This seating area is directly under the speakers and the music can be loud in this section. Poles holding up the netting can get in the way when sitting in this area. A walkway extends from this area down to the ends of both dugouts, then 12 rows of aluminum bleachers with backs fill up the rest of the seating The bleacher section does not have handrails, and yes, yours truly did slip and fall, so be careful on those. The announcer calls the starting line up too fast and music is played when announcing the home team so it is a bit difficult to hear and complete a scoresheet. Walk up music is only played for the home team, which is common. Fielders lose sight of fly balls during sunny afternoon games as the sun blazes from behind home plate. The infield is artificial turf (including the baselines and pitcher’s mound) while the outfield is real grass (often light brown after the winter season). A solid blue wall lines the outfield and all of this causes an unattractive field color scheme. A clever howl sound is played when the ThunderWolves score a run. Neighborhood 3 Pueblo is not known as a tourist destination yet it is quite a nice historic town to visit. Pueblo hosts the Colorado State Fair each year in late August Rawlings Field is on the CSU campus about 5 or so miles from downtown Pueblo and the Riverwalk. No restaurants are within walking distance of the field, though several chain restaurants are off the State Route 40, I-25 exit getting to the university. I’d recommend traveling a few exits south to the downtown area for better choices of food and beverages. Recommended places for a craft brew and a bite to eat are Shamrock Brewing Company and Brues Alehouse (located right on the Riverwalk). A place for good burgers is Bingo Burger only two blocks from the Riverwalk. The Riverwalk in Pueblo is a mile long walking trail around the Arkansas River with artwork, places to eat and rest along the way. If it’s a nice day, get your steps in by taking a stroll then stop for a craft beer at Brues Alehouse. Other places to visit in Pueblo are El Pueblo History Museum and the Buell Children’s Museum. Or if you get to town early check out the Pueblo Zoo (four miles west of the city). No hotels are within walking distance of Rawlings Field though there are plenty at the intersections of I-25 and State Route 40. Those include Baymont Inn, LaQuinta Suites, Clarion, and the like. If staying downtown, both the Springhill Suites and the Courtyard Marriot Pueblo are nice places to stay. Fans 2 Fans trickle in throughout the game. On the day of this review, about 50 or so fans were in the stands (certainly less than 100) so not a whole lot of backing for the team. They do applaud good plays made by either team. And there’s super nice game day staff. Access 3 To get to Rawlings Field, head east from I-25 on to State Route 40. Follow signs to the university and the Neda and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl stadium (football); the baseball field is next to that. Parking is available between the football field and the baseball field. There is a local bus service, bus route 9 goes to the university (not in operation on Sundays). Pueblo Airport is six miles from the university yet it only services Denver with flights on Great Lakes Airlines. Driving is probably the best method of getting to the game. Once in the ballpark area, walking around is easy; installing handrails in the bleachers would be an improvement. Return on Investment 3 Ticket prices for a ThunderWolves game are lower than some of the other RMAC schools. Prices are $5 adult tickets, $4 seniors and non-CSU students, and CSU students get in for free as do kids under 5. Families (two adults, two kids) can get in for $12. It’s all general admission seating. Payment is cash only. Parking is free. Is it worth it? If you live in Pueblo then yes. If coming from parts north (Colorado Springs, Denver) or parts south (Trinidad) it may not be worth the drive even with the lower ticket prices, unless of course you want to check out the downtown Pueblo attractions. Extras 4 CSU-Pueblo has a superb athletic website with lots of information available about the team and its history and it even has links to jpgs of their logos. Rosters are available on picnic tables in the entryway. All across the top of the seating area, baseball shaped banners honor previous All American, All Conference, All Regional, etc. players as well as supporters of the ThunderWolves baseball program. On the outside of the stadium other banners display former players, teams and records of the ThunderWolves. It’s a remarkable job at recognizing players and the history of the team. A statue of a baseball player at the entryway honors local businesses and individuals who contributed towards the building of Rawlings Field. Final Thoughts A nice ballpark. A nice town. If you happen to be in Pueblo, CO in the Feb – May time frame, take the opportunity to see a ballgame at Rawlings Field.

Photos by Matt Colville, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Historic Sims-Galle Field 4000 Dauphin St Mobile, AL 36608 Spring Hill Badgers website Historic Sims-Galle Field website Year Opened: 1889 Capacity: 500 Oldest continuously used baseball park in the country Fenway Park  and Wrigley Field  – two legendary ballparks, each well over 100 years old, have both stood the test of time, and with no sign of slowing down either, they look like they will host baseball for many years to come. But neither of them can lay claim to being the oldest continuously used ballpark in the country; that title belongs to the field at tiny Spring Hill College. Located in Mobile, Alabama, the team is known as the Badgers – the school competes at Historic Sims-Galle Field, more commonly known as "The Pit". Spring Hill is a small Catholic, Jesuit college that opened in 1830 with an enrollment of 30 students – it was founded by French Bishop Michael Portier as a Jesuit seminary and boarding school. Today the college has about 1,400 students, and is the oldest institute of higher learning in the state of Alabama. In addition, it is one of the oldest colleges in the south, and is the fifth oldest Catholic college in the U.S. The Pit hosted its first official baseball game in 1889, which predates Fenway by 23 years. Even though it opened in 1889, baseball was believed to be played at The Pit dating back to the 1860s; in the early 1860s two Cuban students from Spring Hill returned to Cuba and introduced the game to the island, after they learned it playing at The Pit. These two students established the first Cuban baseball team, and are considered the fathers of Cuban baseball. Cannonballs have even been found at the field, from when Union troops seized Mobile during the Civil War – though no major battles took place here, federal troops stayed on the campus and used the field for training exercises. Spring Hill currently sponsors 16 men's and women's sports. In 2014 the Badgers moved to NCAA Division II, joining the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference to compete full time after previously competing in the NAIA Gulf Coast Athletic Conference. Since joining the SIAC the Badgers have won four conference championships and advanced to the NCAA D2 Regionals three times. The field is named after Frank Sims, a former coach of the Badgers, and Stan Galle, who had a stint with the Washington Senators in 1942, but was a long-time coach for the Badgers from 1956 until his retirement in 1982.   Food & Beverage   2 There are no permanent stands open here, although fans are free to bring food and drinks into the seating area. Alcoholic beverages are allowed as well, and I saw many students and fans with beers in their hands walking along the first base concourse (more on that later). Out beyond right field they have Stonisch facility, which houses the weight rooms and clubhouse on the first floor, with the second floor having a party deck that overlooks the field – I saw a lot of fans watching the game from up there as well.      Atmosphere   4 One of the things that makes Sims-Galle Field feel so special is that it truly is a throwback to ballparks of the past – the stadium, if you want to call it that, remains virtually unchanged. It is basically a field nestled in between some pretty historic buildings on campus. The Lucy Administration Building, a 3-story structure that opened in 1869, is used to house the University’s main offices. This imposing structure extends from home plate down the entire first baseline to right field, and the sidewalk in front of the building provides the concourse on that side. The field is sunken in, with a fence down the baseline covered in ivy, which adds a nice touch to the historic stadium. Also, the field faces the southwest, with the historic buildings on campus providing a beautiful backdrop to the field behind home plate. In addition, behind home plate you have the beautiful St. Joseph's Chapel (c. 1910) and Burke Library (c. 1931) providing the view. The field has a few rare features – it lacks a real backstop, as a six-foot wall serves that purpose. Another unique feature is the lights; where most stadiums would have their light towers set up outside the stadium, here the light towers are located along the foul line, meaning they are actually in play, as they stand in foul territory. These lights were only installed in 2002, so prior to then every game here was played during the day. The visiting bullpen on the third base side is also located outside of the field, under a huge live oak tree that is well over 100-150 years old. There is a small bleacher-style grandstand set up behind home plate which holds about 30 people, while down the first baseline there is no seating, but plenty of fans set up lawn chairs outside the entrance to the Lucy Administration Building, which also doubles as the makeshift concourse. There is one basic scoreboard in left field, and there is also a table set up behind home plate that represents the press box, and doubles as the location from which music is played between innings. At Historic Sims-Galle Field things are kept simple, which is part of the charm of The Pit.   N eighborhood   3 The Spring Hill College campus is located on Old Shell Road in the Spring Hill neighborhood, about 6 miles west of downtown Mobile. The Spring Hill neighborhood was built as a summer retreat for the wealthy in the 1800s and is mostly residential, but features many historic antebellum home and old Creole cottages, with many available for touring – if you take Dauphin Street on the back side of campus, or Old Shell Road into downtown, you get to see many of these old houses. In terms of restaurants or attractions, just down the road from the stadium is a little tavern-style bar called The Post on the Hill, best known for its craft cocktails. You are also only a few miles west of downtown Mobile, and downtown has plenty of restaurants and nightlife options worth checking out; just take Dauphin Street east a few miles and you’ll run into downtown, finding all kinds of restaurants and attractions.   Fans   4 Fans showed up in droves to the most recent game I attended – there was a large mix of alumni and students lining the right field concourse. In right field just beyond the outfield is the Stonisch Baseball Fieldhouse; the first floor is used for the team’s facilities and locker rooms, while the upper deck is rented out to groups to watch the game from the balcony overlooking right field. Many students tailgate around the fieldhouse drinking, playing corn hole, and grilling, so it is definitely a festive atmosphere with no ushers or staff working the game, leaving fans free to roam around the grounds wherever they want. At Spring Hill a baseball game is the thing to do on weekends, with many of the students showing up to support the Badgers – at Sims-Galle Field it’s almost like a party with a baseball game being played in the background. Fans definitely show their pride when coming to games. The old ballpark has kind of a neighborhood feel to it, and you can tell that many of these fans here have been coming to games for generations, with a mix of older folks and young children.   Access   4 Finding the campus of Spring Hill College shouldn’t be a problem, as the campus is located right off the interstate. If traveling from the north or south, I-65 will be your best bet, as the campus sits just off the Old Shell Road exit to the west of the Interstate. There are two entrances into campus: Dauphin Street from the south, with a golf course you’ll have to pass on the winding road into campus, and Old Shell Road to the north. Once on campus the field itself can be difficult to find, as it sits nestled among some buildings. However, the campus is small enough that you should be able to find it. I also recommend getting there early and spending some time walking around campus – many of the buildings date back to the 1800s, and it really is an impressive site and an absolutely beautiful Southern campus.   Return on Investment   4 There is no parking fee, no ticket cost, and no concessions, but you are free to bring your own food and drinks into the stadium, and you can’t beat getting to see a true hidden gem of a stadium and a beautiful college campus – it is worth the effort to come here just to see the country's oldest ballpark.   Extras   4 Notable former baseball players for the Badgers who have gone to the Big Leagues include former Tiger  and Braves  all-star Mobile native Frank Bolling, and his brother Milt who played shortstop with the Red Sox  and Tigers in the 1950s (in 1958 the Detroit Tigers two starting middle infielders were the Bolling brothers). In addition, former players at The Pit include Cubs  GM and current Yankees  assistant Jim Hendry, as well as former pitcher Blake Stein, who had a brief career for the A's  (98-99) and Royals  (99-02). The field has also had seen some Major League action, as the 1910 Chicago Cubs  played Spring Hill in a spring training game. The Badgers came up just short in the rain-shortened exhibition game, as the Cubs won 4-1 in 5 innings. However, this would not be the last professional game at The Pit, as the venue would host the Cincinnati Reds three years later, with the Reds winning 11-3. In 1924, however, perhaps The Pit’s greatest historical feat would be accomplished as Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and several Yankees  players visited Mobile – while in town the players made it a point to stop off at the college and take batting practice with the baseball team. Another extra for the town of Mobile's legacy with baseball; this town of a little less than 200,000 people is the birthplace of five players who have been enshrined in Cooperstown, which places it as the birthplace of more Hall of Famers than any other city in the world besides New York and Los Angeles. Hank Aaron, Satchel Paige, Willie McCovey, Ozzie Smith, and Billy Williams were all born and grew up playing on baseball fields around Mobile – Satchel Paige and Hank Aaron even played at The Pit while growing up. Another extra for the campus of Spring Hill College itself; very little has changed here since the days of the Civil War, and this campus reflects that very much with its beautiful buildings on campus. Get to campus early and take a stroll down Avenue of the Oaks – it is a stretch of campus with lively oaks stretched over the road, providing almost a canopy as you drive down the street. I also recommend just walking around the campus and viewing the architecture.   Final Thoughts Historic Sims-Galle Field is truly a hidden gem of a ballpark, and one that I recommend a visit to if you are in the area, just for its scenic beauty alone. Walking the concourse at The Pit is like stepping back in time; it’s like watching a baseball game from the 1920s – baseball purists will be in heaven with a trip to The Pit.

Photo By Michael Davis, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Skelly Field at H. A. Chapman Stadium 3112 E 8th St Tulsa, OK 74104 Tulsa Golden Hurricane website Skelly Field at H. A. Chapman Stadium website Year Opened: 1930 Capacity: 30,000 Tulsa Time H. A. Chapman Stadium was built in 1930 as Skelly Field, after a donation from Oklahoma oil man William Skelly. The first game was played on October 4th vs. the Arkansas Razorbacks. In 1947, Skelly Field’s seating capacity was increased by 5,000 seats, and the venue’s name was changed to Skelly Stadium, which lasted until 2008, when the facility was renovated by J. E. Dunn Construction, and renamed H. A. Chapman Stadium – the venue is named for the H. A. and Mary K. Chapman Charitable Trust, the main benefactor of the renovation. The playing surface at H. A. Chapman Stadium is Fieldturf Revolution Cool Play, and the facility is located at 3110 East 8th Street, on the University of Tulsa’s campus; the stadium is next to the Donald W. Reynolds Center, which is the home arena for Tulsa’s basketball and volleyball teams. There have been numerous events held on the grounds of H. A. Chapman Stadium, such as Major League Baseball and American Football League exhibitions games. The venue has been home to the Tulsa University football team for over 85 years. Other teams calling H. A. Chapman Stadium home have been the United States Football League’s Oklahoma Outlaws and the North American Soccer League’s Tulsa Roughnecks. The University of Tulsa’s football program has appeared in 21 postseason bowls in their history, and has won 35 Conference Championships. H. A. Chapman Stadium and Tulane’s Yulman Stadium are the smallest venues in the American Athletic Conference, each with a maximum seating capacity of 30,000. Food & Beverage 4 The food and beverages are in two different areas; there are the older basic concessions stands that are located inside the actual infrastructure of the stadium, or the food concessions on the stadium grounds in the plaza. The four concession stands inside the structure of the stadium provide fans with basic concessions items like popcorn, hot dogs, pizza, and peanuts – these items range from $2 to $6. The stadium does sell alcoholic beverages in beer tents on the concourse, as well as in Thomas Plaza. The prices are $5 for a 16oz beer, with beer choices of Budweiser, Bud Light, Michelob Ultra, and Rolling Rock. The sale of wine for $7 is another option besides beer. The more interesting food and beverage offerings are located in Thomas Plaza on the west side of the stadium. There they have outside vendors such as Firehouse Subs, Chick-Fil-A, Twist Which, and Mazzio’s. These stands are unique in that they are located on the lower level of a housing complex, similar to the trend of having restaurants on the lower level in condos. There are also food trucks in this area offering German skillet potatoes, bratwurst, and pulled pork. The most interesting food item from a food truck is the Cajun truck serving Poboy, shrimp, lobster, crab legs, and other seafood items, with prices ranging from $10 to $16. The food at H. A. Chapman Stadium is above average when you venture into Thomas Plaza and see the out-of-the-box, stadium fare. These choices, along with the traditional stadium food, will give fans plenty of choices to enjoy throughout their time at H. A. Chapman Stadium. Atmosphere 3 H. A. Chapman Stadium is a great place to watch a game, as the intimacy of the seating brings the football action closer to the fans. The main pre-game festivities are along the north side of the stadium, near the Case Athletic Complex, and provide activities for people of all ages. In addition, there is also plenty of social gathering on Thomas Plaza – this location is inside the gates, but on the outside of the stadium’s infrastructure. As mentioned earlier, this area has plenty of food vendors, including alcoholic beverages, and also has activities for everyone, similar to the pre-game alley outside the stadium grounds. Banners of famous past Tulsa footballers adorn the concourse that goes around the stadium, and the addition of Thomas Plaza gives the stadium a spacious feel, which prevents the venue from seeming outdated for college football. During the game, the spirit squads and marching band are hard at work getting the fan base to get involved with the game. However, the band is placed in a poor spot on the visitor’s side of the field and can hardly be heard, as H. A. Chapman Stadium is an open-air stadium, so the noise from the band does not reach the far end zone by the videoboard. Besides the spirit squads, there is a short video clip of a current Tulsa football player on the jumbotron during certain moments (such as third downs) to get the crowd pumped up. The start of the fourth quarter brings out the rise of the hurricane flag, located in the end zone, which includes warning sirens to get the crowd ready for the final quarter of play. The atmosphere suffers by the lack of fans in attendance, but this doesn’t mean there aren’t moments of greatness. The atmosphere will never be that of the powerhouse programs, but if you enjoy sharing time with family and friends while watching college football, H. A. Chapman Stadium provides that type of atmosphere. A note for travelers not familiar with the unpredictable Oklahoma weather – the stadium is open-air, so a brisk fall day can be quite perfect, but as the colder winter months approach, it can be brutal, not so much because of the temperature, but because the Oklahoma wind can be brutal if you are not dressed in the proper clothing, as the stadium does not provide any protection from the weather’s elements. Neighborhood 3 H. A. Chapman Stadium is on The University of Tulsa’s campus, which is a very nice campus, but it doesn’t offer much. Near the stadium is the Lorton Performance Center and a few fast food establishments, such as Chick-fil-A, Burger King, Taco Bueno, and Jim’s Coney Island. That said, if you are looking for restaurants and other fun things to do within walking distance of the stadium, there isn’t much besides the aforementioned options. However, about 4 miles away (about a 10-minute drive) is downtown Tulsa. The city of Tulsa itself has a lot more options for things to do, especially downtown near the BOK Center or OneOK Field . These two areas provide a lot more pre-game and post-game options and lodging. The Hyatt Regency, the Doubletree, and Marriott Courtyard are a few lodging choices that are near these venues. There are also plenty of restaurants nearby, such as Boston Avenue Grill, Albert G’s Bar-B-Q, El Guapo’s Mexican restaurant, and Caz’s Chowhouse. Fans 3 H. A. Chapman Stadium’s attendance numbers are low in capacity, however, that doesn’t mean that the fans aren’t good. The fans can be vocal at times throughout the game. The student section is small, and are generally sitting near the band in the corner opposite the home team’s sideline. The crowd’s demographic consists mostly of older alumni, season ticket holders, and local fans with children. However, the fans that represent Tulsa football love their Golden Hurricane and are supportive each home game. Nevertheless, the lack of attendance in a stadium that only holds a modest crowd of 30,000 at best means there aren’t enough people to generate enough noise and excitement to last the whole game. But, if the visiting team’s section is vocal and the game is close, then the fans get into a contest as to which side is louder. Overall, the fans are polite, intelligent, and enjoy football in H. A. Chapman Stadium, but without the overbearing fan chants, as is the case with their in-state counterparts in Norman . Access 3 H. A. Chapman Stadium is located on the south side of the University of Tulsa’s campus, off 11th Street between S. Delaware Ave and S. Harvard Ave. Season tickets holders have permits to use the parking areas on campus, but for others there is a little parking available near the stadium. There is parking along the main streets such as 11th, S. Harvard, and S. Delaware, but those spaces come with a price of $5 to $20 depending on how far away the parking is from the stadium. There is the possibility of free parking throughout the nearby neighborhoods, but be careful and observe the posted signs, as there could be towing involved if you park in the wrong place. The low attendance helps in finding free parking if you decide to arrive at the stadium a couple of hours before kickoff. Furthermore, the entrances to the stadium plaza and grounds are well marked, making a fast and easy process to get inside H. A. Chapman Stadium. The facility is uniquely set up compared to other venues, in that the stadium infrastructure is only 2/3 of the stadium grounds, which allows plenty of space to walk around inside, so you don’t feel confined as you move around the concourse and aisles and walkways throughout the stadium. The seating is primarily bleacher seating, except for the middle of the home side of the stadium, which is reserved for season ticket holders, so the seats in that area are individual, and are near the elevators that lead to the box seats. The bathrooms at H. A. Chapman Stadium are outdated but easy to access. Overall, the venue is easy to move around once parking is secured for the game. Return on Investment 4 The University of Tulsa’s single game football tickets are below average when compared to their counterparts in the American Athletic Conference (AAC), and are much cheaper than prices at larger and more traditional football schools. Single ticket prices range from as low as $15 in the end zones to $50 for mid-field seating. These prices, along with cheap to free parking, the low cost at the concessions stands, and quality top tier college football makes the cost of attending a football game at H. A. Chapman Stadium an above average return on investment. Extras 2 H. A. Chapman Stadium is a venue from the past, that has sustained the age of building new stadiums, by engineering a unique setting in using more than the original infrastructure. The stadium grounds and confined seating doesn’t overwhelm fans, but provides close action to FBS college football. Final Thoughts H. A. Chapman Stadium and The Tulsa Golden Hurricane can’t compare to the state schools in Stillwater or Norman . The football program doesn’t have the deep talented players, the tradition, the facilities, or the donors that would enable them to compete with the Oklahoma State Cowboys or the Oklahoma Sooners . However, Tulsa does a wonderful job in competing with other schools in the FBS and in the American Athletic Conference (AAC). The return on investment here is above average, the football talent can at times be well above average, and the historic stadium continues to hold its own in providing a fun-filled college football atmosphere, such that anyone living in or traveling to Tulsa should make a visit during the football season.

Photos by Joshua Guiher, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.57 Medlar Field at Lubrano Park 701 Porter Rd University Park, PA 16802 Penn State Nittany Lions website Medlar Field at Lubrano Park website Year Opened: 2006 Capacity: 5,406 Nittany Lion Baseball Penn State baseball is the oldest varsity sport at the University, dating back to 1875. In fact, the school nickname came from a player on the team. Harrison Mason declared the local 'Nittany Lion' more ferocious than a tiger during a game against Princeton in 1904. The story soon spread around campus and the Nittany Lion was adopted as the Penn State mascot. Longevity is great, but what is a game like at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, home of the Penn State baseball team that is traditionally mediocre? Food & Beverage 1 Penn State baseball plays in a stadium on campus, but it is shared with a local minor league team, the State College Spikes. The Spikes are known for their high prices, especially when compared to other area teams such as the Altoona Curve and Williamsport Crosscutters. This includes the stadium concession stand prices, which are not lowered for the Penn State games. In addition, the amount of fans at the Penn State game is usually so small that only one concession stand will be open. No all-you-can-eat seats, no wings, no cheesesteak stand, no cupcakes and no creamery ice cream to name a few of the missing options. You basically can get cracker jacks ($3.50), a hot dog ($3.50), a cheeseburger ($4.50), a soda ($3.50/$5.50), or a Gatorade ($4). Beer is not offered during Penn State games, although it is sold in the stadium by the Spikes. Atmosphere 1 There was no atmosphere. Less than 300 people at a game spread out in a 6,000 seat stadium will do that. Couple it with horrible in-game events and you get a stale environment. There was a mismanaged dizzy-bat game that had one contestant start well before the other, narrated over a microphone no one could hear. If that is the school's plan to build an atmosphere, they are always going to have attendance issues. The extra netting that stops foul balls from reaching the stands is also a major deterrent to the atmosphere. Kids want to catch foul balls. Instead, the nets run all the way down the lines to first and third base preventing balls from reaching the stands unless they roll off of the press box roof. Also, the kids' game area and the inflatable bounce toys used during the Spikes game were not in use for Penn State baseball. It was like the school purposefully wanted to keep kids away from the park. There was a baseball card giveaway, but no one was at the stand. The stacks of cards were just sitting on the customer service desk, but no employees were at the desk. Neighborhood 5 State College is one of the best college towns in America. The town is separated from the school by College Avenue, making it easy to walk along the town and find exactly what you are looking for. For a meal, try The Fraser Street Deli, where all of the sandwiches and salads are named after Penn State personalities. You can even get the Harrison Mason or Nittany Lion sandwiches. For dessert, since the cupcake stand is closed at Medlar Field, try *ndulge cupcakes, which is right around the corner from The Fraser Street Deli. They offer a huge selection of tasty cupcakes and also serve gelato. If you want a beer, try Cafe 210, the best bar in town, plus they are one of the few with good outdoor seating. Fans 1 As I mentioned in the atmosphere section, there were no fans. I counted a little less than 300, and over 50 of them were part of a local little league group. No chants, no cheers, no emotion. My seat might as well have been located in a soundproof booth. Access 5 Access was great with free parking, a beautiful new stadium, wide gates, even wider concourses, huge chair back seats and no one around you. It is hard to imagine that no one shows up to such a beautiful park. Well, hard to imagine until you realize how bad the atmosphere is. Return on Investment 4 I was able to attend both a Lady Lion softball game and the baseball game for the same $5 ticket. Softball had a doubleheader so I was actually able to watch the first game, walk over to the baseball park and watch the game there, then go back and watch the last two innings of the second softball game all for $5, a great value. If the baseball game atmosphere was as good as the softball game, I would have given it a five star rating. Extras 1 On the night of my visit, the Nittany Lion did make a guest appearance for a few innings before leaving. Unfortunately he didn't really interact with the fans; he just sat with two females who seemed to know him outside of work. Final Thoughts When you have a college baseball team that hasn't been to the College World Series since the early 1970's, you need to create an amazing atmosphere to attract fans. Instead, Penn State does everything possible to drive away fans, especially kids, which are the heart of any good baseball atmosphere. Until the atmosphere is corrected, the team will always struggle with fan support, even if they start winning.

Sun City Stadium, Photo courtesy of Sun City Historical Society Our next of several features on former Cactus League spring training facilities, some of which still exist and some do not. Sun City Stadium, Sun City, AZ opened in 1971 in one of many Del Webb retirement communities. It first hosted the Sun City Saints, a nationally known girls’ softball team. In 1972, the San Francisco Giants played a few weekday games there. They averaged almost 50 percent better attendance in the brand-new stadium than in their own Phoenix Municipal Stadium over a similar span that year. The Milwaukee Brewers took residence in 1973 and used the ballpark as their winter home until 1985 when they moved to Compadre Stadium in Chandler AZ. Sun City Stadium served the Brewers well for several years but eventually became outdated, as its size was relatively small (3,000+). It had a small clubhouse for the players, shared with the visiting team on game day. Practice facilities were available, but they were not located next to the stadium–something required in newer facilities being built in Arizona. Limited automobile parking was available. Unique for spring training, many Sun City residents came to the game via their golf carts and parked behind the top row of the bleachers with their view down towards the field. Sun City Stadium Golf Carts, Photo courtesy of Sun City Historical Society The stadium was located at the bottom of a large amphitheater with batters hitting south toward the wall/railroad tracks (Grand Avenue/Highway 60). It had bleachers and a tall chain link fence ran behind home plate and the seating. The backstop was brick and stood about 4 ft high. A fence was also placed in front of both dugouts to prevent fouls from knocking out the players. A small press box stood at the top of the concourse up behind home plate. Sun City Stadium Aerial, Photo courtesy of Sun City Historical Society After the Brewers left, Sun City made attempts to continue using it for softball, senior professional baseball, and amateur baseball, with minimal success. After being sold, a property developer razed the stadium in the early 1990’s. Today, The Place at Fountains at Sun City, a 55+ apartment complex, sits on what once was the stadium property. One can almost feel and envision the game being played in its plush green, sunken courtyard. The fountain in the middle of the courtyard could easily have been the pitcher’s mound and the walkway surrounding the yard, the baselines. Residents still get to watch a train rumble across the tracks as it did when the Brewers played baseball there. Concourse from where Sun City residents watched the game in their golf carts (first base side) Freight train passing beyond what would have been third base side View from where right-center field was located. Special thanks to Ben Roloff and the Del Webb Sun Cities Museum and to Russ at The Place at Fountains at Sun City.

Photos by Michael Rusignuolo and Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Hinchliffe Stadium 186 Maple St. Paterson, NJ 07522 New Jersey Jackals website Hinchliffe Stadium website Year Opened: 1932 (renovated 2023) Capacity: 7,500 A Noble Project   There are only four stadia still standing that once hosted Negro League baseball games. Not long ago, that number was in danger of dropping to three. Hinchliffe Stadium in Paterson, NJ, was built during the depression and named for then-Mayor John Hinchliffe. Hinchliffe made his fortune in brewing before closing operations during Prohibition.   Over the years, Hinchliffe Stadium hosted numerous events, including football, boxing and even auto racing. Local high schools used the stadium extensively. Duke Ellington and Abbott and Costello even performed here (Lou Costello was a Paterson native). However, Hinchliffe might have been more renowned as a baseball venue, as it was home to both the New York Black Yankees and New York Cubans at times during their histories.   Hinchliffe Stadium was overseen by the Paterson School District, who was responsible for upkeep and maintenance. Over the years, as the school system declined and suffered budgetary restrictions, funds formerly allocated to the stadium were diverted for more urgent needs. While the facility was still used heavily into the 1990s, by the end of the 1996-97 school year the stadium was closed and demolition was threatened.   In 2009 Paterson (NJ) City Councilor Andre Sayegh visited Rickwood Field in Birmingham, AL. The visit inspired him that the crumbling old stadium in his hometown could be similarly restored to its former glory. He vowed that if he became mayor of Paterson he would fight to make this a reality.   When Sayegh was elected mayor in 2018, he, along with the non-profit “Friends of Hinchliffe Stadium,” secured $95 million in funds to restore and upgrade the facility. However, there was a catch. A professional baseball team had to use Hinchliffe as their home park. Enter the New Jersey Jackals. The Jackals, who had played for 25 years at Yogi Berra Stadium on the campus of Montclair State University, announced in August 2022 that they would be moving to Paterson, five miles to the north.   The Jackals were founded in 1998, competing in three different leagues over its history. When the floundering Can-Am League merged into the Frontier League, the Jackals were one of five teams invited to join the new circuit. Over their history, the Jackals have won six championships.   The Jackals played their first game at Hinchliffe on May 21, 2023 in front of 400 fans.   Food & Beverage 2   Concessions are sold from several windows along the first base side of the stadium. A basic menu is available here, with hot dogs, burgers and empanadas anchoring the choices. The usual snack items are also available, ensuring that visiting Jackals fans won’t go hungry should they need something to eat during the game.   A Kona Ice truck is stationed right outside the main gate along with the team store, offering a variety of snow cones and cold treats.   Cans of Coca-Cola products are sold here, along with a decent selection of adult beverages. Fans looking for some local flavor here will be disappointed, as the menu exclusively features national brands.   Atmosphere 2   The Jackals put on a show that will be familiar to veteran minor league fans. Unfortunately, the  size of Hinchliffe Stadium serves to dampen the atmosphere here. When you have a crowd numbering in the hundreds in a facility that seats thousands, much of the energy produced is swallowed up by the emptiness in the ballpark.   The scoreboard located at the far end of the stadium in left field appears to have video capabilities but was only used to display player photos and basic game information. The Jackals mascot, Jack, roams the ballpark posing for pictures and interacting with fans. The sound system is excellent and is put to good use with music throughout the game. The on-field emcee takes advantage of this sound system to make as much noise as he can to try and pump up the fans. The PA announcer goes about his job in a more workmanlike fashion.   The odd layout of the baseball diamond at Hinchliffe Stadium can either add to or detract from your enjoyment, depending on your philosophical slant. The very short porch in right field with the 30-foot net atop it was cleared with ease several times during Stadium Journey’s visit. The vast empty spaces of Hinchliffe provided ample room for the youngsters in attendance to chase down balls and expend some energy.   Neighborhood 2   Paterson is the third largest city in the state of New Jersey, with a population of almost 160,000. Located about 20 miles from New York, Paterson built its reputation as an industrial center in the latter half of the 19th century. It was known as “Silk City” due to the prominence of one of its products. As was the case in many mill towns, Paterson experienced hard times as mills closed and businesses moved elsewhere. At one point Paterson graced the list of the five poorest cities in the United States.   Even a cursory glance online will warn visitors of the dangerousness of the city of Paterson. However, if visiting a Jackals game, these fears seem a bit overstated. True, this may not be the most well-to-do neighborhood, but a look around shows the area around Hinchliffe Stadium to be more working class than blighted. As is the case in any large city, there are good and bad areas. That being said, there is little around Hinchliffe Stadium that will beckon fans to stay beyond the last pitch.   There are no options as far as dining or lodging are concerned around the ballpark. A couple of restaurants located about a mile southwest of Hinchliffe, Mexico Bar & Grill and Avocado Steakhouse, featured positive reviews, but as mentioned earlier, most fans are likely to get to nearby I-80 as quickly as possible.   Hinchliffe Stadium is located within the Paterson Great Falls National Historic Park. The Great Falls of the Passaic River are less than 100 yards from the stadium and are worth a look if you arrive early to a Jackals game. Fans 2   There was much criticism in some circles over the Jackals’ move to Paterson and the cost of the entire stadium renovation project. Overall, fans have been slow to respond to the new home of the Jackals. The official reported attendance is around 2,300 per game, but the eye test shows much smaller crowds. Stadium Journey visited Hinchliffe on a Saturday night in May, and the crowd numbered about 500.   Still, the team does have its share of dedicated fans. One such fan, “The Trumpet Guy,” sets up shop in section 114 high above home plate and augments the team’s musical selections throughout the game.   Access 3   As you might expect from a ballpark so close to New York City, visitors will have many options for arriving at Hinchliffe Stadium. Interstate 80 and State Highway 19 run just to the south of the ballpark. New Jersey Transit’s  703 and 748 busses stop about a half mile away on West Broadway Street, and the 712 bus runs a few blocks away on Wayne Street.   As part of the ballpark’s renovations, a new parking garage was built on the western (third base) side of the stadium. There are a couple of other parking lots in the area, along with some on-street parking for fans who wish to avoid the garage charge.   Fans will enter the stadium at the top of the facility behind home plate. Stairs and ramps lead down to the seats from here. All seating consists of aluminum bleachers without backs. Due to the odd layout of the baseball diamond, there are poles and nets throughout Hinchliffe that hamper views. Also, the seats along the first base side of the field are set back a bit from the playing field, and the view is obscured by one of the dugouts. The most desired seats are directly behind home plate, although fans will scatter throughout the stadium. A walkway runs the length of the stadium, allowing access to the concessions, restrooms and distant seating sections. Traffic on this walkway does not impede views of the game at any point.   Rest rooms are newly renovated and clean. They are easily large enough for a typical Jackals crowd. Oddly enough during Stadium Journey’s visit, a faucet on the concourse was left open all game, resulting in a waterfall down the stairs and a large puddle on the track behind the dugout. Was the team recreating the Great Falls experience for those fans who missed it?   Return on Investment 4   The Jackals provide an affordable, family-friendly entertainment option for local sports fans. Tickets cost $15 for all seats, with options to sit at picnic tables on the field available for those fans who want to splurge.   Parking in the garage adjacent to the stadium costs an additional $7. The team recommends you purchase a parking pass in advance, but there are plenty of spots available should you wait until game time. Stadium Journey pulled up to the garage about 90 minutes before game time, and there did not appear to be a charge to park in the garage. Fans wishing to avoid a potential charge will find plenty of on-street parking in the area.   Extras 5   The New York Black Yankees called Hinchliffe Stadium home from 1933-1945 with a one-year interruption in 1938. The team honors them, as well as all the other teams to call the stadium home, by flying team flags along Larry Doby Lane, renamed in honor of the baseball Hall of Famer and Paterson native.   History oozes from every inch of this art-deco facility. Take a walk around the outside of the ballpark and take in the tiles of ancient athletes participating in numerous track and field events. The original stadium signs have been restored and displayed outside the ballpark.   The Great Falls National Park directly adjacent to the stadium is certainly worth a look if you arrive early to the game.   The Charles J. Muth Museum is attached to the stadium. It contains artifacts and exhibits that focus not only on local and Negro League baseball history, but other aspects of Hinchliffe Stadium’s history.   A final extra point is awarded for the efforts of the city to preserve and restore this historic venue.   Final Thoughts   While there was a great deal of criticism surrounding the efforts to preserve and restore this historic facility and the Jackals’ subsequent move there, it’s wonderful to be able to step back in time and experience a baseball game in an original Negro League ballpark. While some of the choices made in setting up the field may be questionable, this is a place that every baseball historian should endeavor to visit.   Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter  and Instagram  @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 North Side Gym 300 Lawrence Street Elkhart, IN 46514 Elkhart High School website North Side Gym website Year Opened: 1954 Capacity: 7,373 Elkhart’s North Side Gym Still a Stunner North Side Gymnasium opened in 1954 and is one of the granddaddies of Indiana high school basketball gyms. When it opened, it seated a whopping 8,348 people and was the biggest of its kind in the world; Kokomo Memorial Gymnasium had been built 5 years before. In the first season of the building, a total of 134,000 people witnessed basketball from the regular season to tournament games, plus an additional 70,000 plus from wrestling matches, the ice follies, conventions, and a Harlem Globetrotters game. The place was hopping with much more than basketball and was a centerpiece for the community. Today, the gym holds 7,373 people, still good enough for sixth in the world, and still hosts events from basketball games to conventions, and concerts last year sold out every one of those seats for a political rally for President Donald Trump. It has served as a sectional site every year since its first season but has not hosted a regional or semi-state basketball game since 1997. Elkhart Memorial and Central High School both play their home games at the gym, but that will change in 2020 when the two schools merge to become Elkhart High School. It is also home to the North Side Middle School basketball program, perhaps making it the largest gym of its kind at the middle school level. The original Elkhart High School racked up 28 sectional and 13 regional championships to go along with 2 finals appearances and 1 state runner-up finish before it was split into Central and Memorial in 1972. Food & Beverage 3 There are two large concession stands located in the outer concourse of the seating bowl that provide all the typical snacks. Candy popcorn, hot dogs, nachos, walking tacos, and pretzels are all affordable and cash only. If you have a sweet tooth, caramel popcorn, and locally made caramel cinnamon donut holes are popular items. Pepsi products are available throughout the building. Atmosphere 4 The North Side Gym offers a magnificent façade on both ends of the building that does not look like it has changed too much in the 54 years that it has been opened. The entrances also feature the original ticket booths that are in the entryway to the main lobby. One item that is new to the gym is the $200,000 privately donated video board that was installed in 2017. The four-sided video board can show live videos, and animated segments, and provide stats from the game. It is the only one of its kind in all of the high school gyms and fieldhouses in the state. The gym also possesses the biggest banners that I have seen in a gym that honor Elkhart’s High School’s 1954 and 1955 basketball semi-state appearances and the 1971 state final runner-up team. The other large banners honor Memorial and Central championships and tournament appearances. Throughout the game, the banners sway back and forth and blend perfectly in the historic gymnasium. The outer concourse features two large concession areas that include narrow hallways that display team photos of past basketball championship teams, memorabilia from both high schools’ past, and both female and male student-athletes of the year. However, there could be a lot more memorabilia displayed throughout the gym due to its importance not only for high school basketball but also for the Elkhart community. Two levels in the seating bowl offer a wrap-around upper concourse to make access a little bit better for moving around during heavily attendant events. The upper seating consists of pull-out bleachers and a few permanent stands that are wedged into the corner of the building and they look quite durable. Neighborhood 4 The gym is about a mile away from downtown Elkhart, also known as the Gateway Mile. The area features an array of attractions from restaurants to theaters, museums, and a riverwalk during the warmer times of the year. There is quite a bit of activity to do before or after a game and with it being so close, it would be silly not to spend some time during your visit. The Riverwalk Culture Trail features green space, gardens, and sculptures but might be somewhat cold during the basketball season. The Lerner Theatre offers concerts and performances, and the Midwest Museum of American Art is inside a neo-classical style former bank that showcases both 19th and 20th-century American art. The National New York Central Railroad Museum preserves both national and local railroad heritage, telling the story of how trains shaped this country. 523 Tap & Grill combines bistro fare and an elegant atmosphere, Five Star Dive Bar is a casual spot for lunch and dinner, featuring live music every weekend. Beer lovers will enjoy Iechyd Da Brewing Company which has personal-sized pizza and $4 pints of craft beer on its menu board. There are also a few more breweries in the area including Evil Czech Brewery Public House and Bare Hands Brewery. Fans 4 They said they don’t pack them in as they used to but during tournament time a building such as the North Side Gym reminds people that Hoosier Hysteria is indeed alive and well. Four schools brought in a healthy amount of fans and students to provide a soundtrack to the tournament. There are all the fixings of Indiana high school basketball from standing student sections, fans jeering at the referees for a bad call, and the storming of the court after the big win. Access 3 NSG is located at North Side Middle School and a few miles north and south of the town's major freeways. I-90 is a toll road and is about 4 miles north of the gym, while SR 20 is 5 miles south of the gym. There are not any signs of the gym, but GPS devices will lead motorists to the spot. There is plenty of parking and during this game, attendants guided motorists to spots an hour before the first tip-off. It can get somewhat crowded in the lower section seating area; there is more room in this area for people to move around while still having a great view of the court. Return on Investment 3 The North Side Gym is one of the iconic venues in the state and perhaps slightly unappreciated to many of us who live a couple of hours south of Elkhart. It is a building that feels like it was made for basketball and offers all the amenities one would expect from this type of arena. Tickets are $10 for both semi-state and $6 for regular season games, parking is free, and the most expensive concession item is $4. Extras 3 The gym receives one point for the four-sided video board that can show live videos, and animated segments, and provide stats from the game. It is the only one of its kind in all of the high school gyms and fieldhouses in the state. The gym receives a second point for the façade that defines the look and character of the building. The simple, yet elegant, wording of the North Side Gym most likely has not changed in 65 years. The third and final point is for the giant banners that wisp in the air in the backcourt and provide the look needed for a basketball gym in any state or at any level. Final Thoughts The North Side Gym is a true gem of Hoosier Temples and continues to provide the community with much more than a place for basketball. Current renovations that include a new video board and scoreboards will indeed make it the place for possible future regional and semi-state games. ------ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel . Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Mount Vernon Athletic Complex 2100 Foxhall Rd NW Washington, DC 20007 George Washington Revolutionaries website Mount Vernon Athletic Complex website Year Opened: 2001 Capacity : 500 Colonial Soccer Note: In June 2023, George Washington University changed its team name from the Colonials to the Revolutionaries. Located on George Washington University’s Mount Vernon Campus, three miles from the main campus in Foggy Bottom, the Mount Vernon Athletic Complex plays home to several of the Colonials’ athletic programs. The soccer program plays at the main athletic field in the complex, which is also home to the school’s women’s lacrosse program (GW does not have a men’s lacrosse team.) There are also tennis courts, a softball field, and a student gym in the complex. Although sometimes the field is known as GW Soccer Field when used for soccer, it is also referred to by the name of the whole complex given its other uses. Food & Beverage 0 No food and beverage is available for sale at GW soccer games. There is a cafeteria inside West Hall adjacent to the stadium which sells meals at mealtimes which can be taken into the stadium, and one does not need to be a student to buy from there, but it is only open during meal hours and you are at the mercy of whatever they happen to be serving that day. Atmosphere 3 The Mount Vernon Athletic Complex has a rather unique seating layout. Assuming you are coming from the parking garage or walking in from off-campus, you will find some random chairs strewn about on a lawn across the street from the stadium. Some fans like to watch from here, or you can walk around to three rows of bleachers on the far side by West Hall. These bleachers can get cramped and there is really no aisle to speak of going across, so expect to have to walk across fans and get walked across yourself. There is a scoreboard on one end of the field which shows only the most basic information. The Colonials have a mascot, who unsurprisingly is a costumed version of George Washington, who sometimes makes appearances at soccer games. Neighborhood 4 The Mount Vernon Athletic Complex is located in Northwest Washington off Foxhall Road. Although there are several scenic parks and trails in the vicinity, as well as the German Embassy, your best bet for dining is to head elsewhere in the District. A seafood place and an Italian restaurant are located west of the Mount Vernon campus near the Potomac River, and some other places up MacArthur Boulevard, but most of your options will be closer to Downtown, not further. The Tenleytown and Georgetown neighborhoods are a short drive or Uber ride away and offer numerous dining and entertainment options. You can also head downtown and visit the many historic sites. monuments, and memorials along the National Mall. Just keep in mind if you want to tour the Capitol or White House, you will need to book in advance. Fans 4 Although George Washington only draws a couple of hundred fans a game, it seems like more because the bleachers are so compact. Although many fans are family or friends of the players, there are some locals as well. They tend to be extremely knowledgeable about the team and the players and it can get quite loud despite the small crowd size. George Washington has a large international student body, and this is reflected in their student-athletes as well, so you will often see friends, family, and student compatriots of international players flying the flags of their countries and waving signs or cheering for them in their native language. Some fans like to sit in the chairs across the street, but the real crowd action is in the bleachers alongside the field. Access 4 Depending on how you are arriving, the Mount Vernon campus can either be significantly easier or significantly harder to get to than the main campus in Foggy Bottom. While it is not Metro-accessible, it is a lot easier to drive to this campus in outer Washington than it is to drive downtown to the main campus. There is a parking garage on campus right next to the stadium. Parking is free all day on weekends or for up to three hours on weekdays. It can get very pricey if staying for more than three hours on a weekday, starting at $16 for up to four hours and going up from there, so try to go on a weekend or time your visit accordingly. As noted above, the bleachers can be cramped and hard to get around. If this is a concern for you, you can sit in the chairs across the street and have a good view of the game, just arrive early so they aren’t all taken. Although there are no restrooms at the field itself, there are some in West Hall. Just take the stairs or elevator down a level and they are easy to get to. Return on Investment 4 Admission to Colonials’ soccer games is free. You won’t pay for concessions because there aren’t any. We suggest visiting on a weekend to maximize value without having to carefully time things to avoid paying a ridiculous amount for parking. Extras 1 One star for all the unique vantage points to watch a game here. Whether it’s sitting in the crowded bleachers, in chairs across the street, or standing along the fence, there are plenty of ways to take in a GW soccer game here. Final Thoughts Although the Mount Vernon Athletic Complex doesn’t seem like much, even compared to other college soccer venues in the area like Maryland and Georgetown, it is a unique stadium on the outskirts of D.C. where fans can take in a game for free on a crisp fall day. It is a perfect example of how sometimes, less is more. Although the stadium is far from imposing, the small, intimate setting creates a much louder and more entertaining environment than a larger, mostly empty stadium would.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.43 Mount Vernon Athletic Complex 2100 Foxhall Rd NW Washington, DC 20007 George Washington Revolutionaries website Mount Vernon Athletic Complex website Year Opened: 2001 Capacity : 500 A Lacrosse Revolution in D.C. Located on George Washington University’s Mount Vernon Campus, three miles from the main campus in Foggy Bottom, the Mount Vernon Athletic Complex plays home to several of the Revolutionaries' athletic programs. The women's lacrosse team plays at the main athletic field, which is also home to GW soccer . (GW does not have a men's lacrosse team.) There are also tennis courts, a softball field , and a student gym in the complex. Food & Beverage 0 No food and beverage is available for sale at GW lacrosse games games. There is a cafeteria inside West Hall adjacent to the stadium which sells meals at mealtimes which can be taken into the stadium, and one does not need to be a student to buy from there, but it is only open during meal hours and you are at the mercy of whatever they happen to be serving that day, if it is even open when you visit. Atmosphere 2 The Mount Vernon Athletic Complex has a rather unique seating layout. Assuming you are coming from the parking garage or walking in from off-campus, you will find some random chairs strewn about on a lawn across the street from the stadium. Some fans like to watch from here, or you can walk around to three rows of bleachers on the far side by West Hall. These bleachers can get cramped and there is really no aisle to speak of going across, so expect to have to walk across fans and get walked across yourself. There is a scoreboard on one end of the field which shows only the most basic information. There is really not much going on here besides the game itself. George Washington has a mascot, who appropriately is a costumed version of George Washington himself, but he was not present when we visited. Neighborhood 4 The Mount Vernon Athletic Complex is located in Northwest Washington off Foxhall Road. Although there are several scenic parks and trails in the vicinity, as well as the German Embassy, your best bet for dining is to head elsewhere in the District. A seafood place and an Italian restaurant are located west of the Mount Vernon campus near the Potomac River, and some other places up MacArthur Boulevard, but most of your options will be closer to Downtown, not further. The Tenleytown and Georgetown neighborhoods are a short drive or Uber ride away and offer numerous dining and entertainment options. You can also head downtown and visit the many historic sites. monuments, and memorials along the National Mall. Just keep in mind if you want to tour the Capitol or White House, you will need to book in advance. Fans 3 The Revolutionaries only draw a couple hundred fans to a typical home game, and with about half choosing to sit in the bleachers and half choosing to sit in the chairs along the grass or bring their own. The crowd is knowledgeable about the team and the sport, but not particularly loud. Most of them are friends or family of the players, although you do get some other locals as well.. When GW is playing a nearby school, expect to have a lot of visiting fans in attendance as well. Because it is far from campus, there are few GW students in attendance, although there is a shuttle bus that runs between the campuses, so they would be able to get here if they wanted io. Access 3 Depending on how you are arriving, the Mount Vernon campus can either be significantly easier or significantly harder to get to than the main campus in Foggy Bottom. While it is not Metro-accessible, it is a lot easier to drive to this campus in outer Washington than it is to drive downtown to the main campus. There is a parking garage on campus right next to the stadium. Parking is free all day on weekends or for up to three hours on weekdays. It can get very pricey if staying for more than three hours on a weekday, starting at $16 for up to four hours and going up from there, so try to go on a weekend or time your visit accordingly. As noted above, the bleachers can be cramped and hard to get around. If this is a concern for you, you can sit in the chairs across the street and have a good view of the game, just arrive early so they aren’t all taken. Although there are no restrooms at the field itself, there are some in West Hall. Just take the stairs or elevator down a level and they are easy to get to. You may need a GW student to card you into the building depending on the time of day, but there will usually be one nearby to help. Return on Investment 4 Admission to Revolutionaries' lacrosse games is free, with the possible exception of Atlatnic 10 or NCAA Tournament matches. You won’t pay for concessions because there aren’t any. We suggest visiting on a weekend to maximize value without having to carefully time things to avoid paying a ridiculous amount for parking. Extras 1 One star for all the unique vantage points to watch a game here. Whether it’s sitting in the crowded bleachers, in chairs across the street, or standing along the fence, there are plenty of ways to take in a GW lacrosse game here. Final Thoughts The Mount Vernon Athletic Complex is a unique college lacrosse venue with many ways to take in a game. However, at its core it is a pretty basic facility. Fans of George Washington University may want to make the trip here to see a game, but there is not much to offer a neutral unless you are a die-hard lacrosse fan.

Photo courtesy of Army West Point Athletics Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Johnson Stadium at Doubleday Field Thayer Road West Point, NY 10956 Army Black Knights baseball website Johnson Stadium at Doubleday Field website Year Opened: 1939 Capacity: 880 Duty, Honor, Country…Play Ball! Baseball and the United States Military Academy at West Point have a long history together. One of its graduates, Abner Doubleday, is credited to having created the game, and the field the Black Knights play on is named for him. Baseball was the first official sport to be sanctioned by the academy with the first games taking place in 1890. The physical location of Doubleday Field has been hosting games since 1909. The field was formally dedicated as Doubleday Field in 1939, baseball’s centennial year. The stadium has undergone numerous renovations over the years, with major work being done in 1996 and again in 2013. The Johnson Stadium part of the complex’s name is a salute to Rupert Johnson, class of 1922, who helped raise funds for these renovations. A number of famous Americans have been members of the Black Knights baseball teams over the years. Among the most famous are Omar Bradley, Douglas MacArthur, and General Bob Neyland, the team’s all-time record holder for wins as a pitcher, who went on to be a Hall of Fame football coach at the University of Tennessee. Babe Ruth hit the longest home run ever at Doubleday Field during an exhibition game in 1934, with the ball traveling more than 500 feet. Hall of Fame pitcher Christy Mathewson also served as Army’s coach for a few of its earliest teams. The present day Black Knights continue the proud history of Army baseball. They have won seven Patriot League championships and made six NCAA tournament appearances. Due to the harsh winters at West Point, the team has pre season training at the Yankees complex in Tampa and the first half of its regular season is on the road in warmer climates. This allows the cadets to have a long string of home games at the end of the season in front of a friendly home crowd and to build momentum heading into the league and NCAA tournaments. Food & Beverage 3 For those who have served in the military, you definitely have better food offerings at Doubleday Field than the MRE’s you once subsisted on! Cadet Food Services brings a fully stocked concession trailer to the field for each game. Among their food offerings are sodas for $3, water for $2, hot dogs and pretzels for $3, while assorted candies and chips are $2. They also offer coffee and hot chocolate as it can get cold on the cliffs above the Hudson far into the spring. Due to security regulations, coolers are not allowed on the campus, and visitors are not permitted in the Cadet Dining Hall, so bringing in or purchasing food other than at the ballpark are not options. Atmosphere 5 Attending a baseball game at Doubleday Field is a unique experience as you are surrounded by history. There are buildings bearing the names of famous generals, the cemetery where many of America’s heroes are buried, and monuments to their accomplishments. All of these are just steps away from Doubleday Field. Over the right field wall are the library and academic complex. Over the left field wall are stunning views of the Hudson River winding past the campus. The stadium is designed for this very purpose. Its low profile does not obstruct the views and its outer walls of granite are meant to emulate the architecture of the surrounding buildings. A nice addition to the exterior of the stadium is a series of engravings of a pitcher, catcher and fielder with West Point buildings in the background. Topping it all off, sitting next to you and playing in front of you are tomorrow’s heroes. You can’t help but to root for the home team and you stand a little straighter and much prouder when the national anthem is played before the game. Another unique moment during Army baseball games comes at 5pm when Evening Retreat (the lowering of the main U.S. flag on campus) is sounded across the campus. The game stops immediately, even if in the middle of a pitch count, and the players, fans and visiting teams all face the parade grounds where the flag is located. Players place their caps over their hearts and anyone in military uniform gives a salute. The campus is completely silent except for the sound of the trumpet until the flag has been lowered. Then the game resumes. Neighborhood 3 The area immediately surrounding Doubleday Field is the United States Military Academy campus. The best way to see the campus is via a free tour bus, as much of the campus is not open to civilians. Outside of the campus is the quaint village of Highland Falls, New York. The town is made up of mom and pop stores, no chain or big box stores. The nicest accommodations in town are right at the entrance to the USMA’s Thayer Gate at the historic Hotel Thayer. It is filled with memorabilia about the Academy and offers stunning views of the Hudson River below the academy. Two other lodging options in town are the West Point Motel and Overlook on the Hudson (a bed and breakfast that was formerly Billy Joel’s home). Among the restaurants to choose from in Highland Falls are Park Restaurant and the Hacienda. Other restaurants and the usual chains are located about 15 miles from the academy in adjoining communities or along I-87. The visitor’s center for the USMA is actually located in the town and is an excellent source of information on the surrounding areas in addition to the Academy itself. Fans 4 The mix of fans you will run into at a Black Knights game is quite a mix. Obviously a large portion will come from the corps of cadets, seeking a short respite from the rigid lifestyle of a military academy and known for its demanding academic standards. Their allegiance to the team is unquestioned and they will cheer loudly, but you will hear no trash talking due to the strict code of conduct at the academy. You are just as likely to be sitting next to a retired general and alumni, who may be on the Board of Directors of a Fortune 500 company now. The third segment of the crowd is the townspeople of Highland Falls, whose lives and jobs are often intertwined with the Academy. Access 3 The United States Military Academy is an active military installation, and has stringent security regulations. All visitors to the campus must enter through the Security Checkpoint located at Thayer Gate. A valid photo ID is required for admittance. Cars may be searched by security personnel during high alert periods, but typically this is not required. You will be given instructions on how to reach Doubleday Field from security. Do not leave the instructed route as many areas of the campus are off limits to civilians. You may want to acquaint yourself with the campus by stopping at the USMA Visitors Center located outside the gates in downtown Highland Falls, which is just outside the Thayer Gate. The nearest airports are in White Plains, NY or Newburgh, NY. By car you would take I-87 to the Highland Falls exit and follow the directions to the USMA. Return on Investment 4 There is no charge to attend a Black Knights baseball game, nor is there any charge for parking. The concessions are limited, but very reasonable in price. Throw in that you are attending a game in one of the most historic and important facilities of United States history as well as a well played game and it is impossible to feel you have not gotten your money’s worth out of the experience. The remoteness of the location and the stringent security requirements are a small price to pay when we realize that national defense depends on the work done on this campus. Extras 3 The best way to see the academy campus is via West Point Tours. They are the licensed vendor with the USMA and are allowed in areas off limits to cars or visitors on foot. One and two hour long tours are available. Bear Mountain State Park is just outside of town and offers great hiking with the views of the Hudson you will never see from the road. Woodbury Commons Outlet Mall is located at the I-87 exit leading into town and has more than 100 stores for those who like to combine shopping on their stadium journeys.

Photos by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Columbus Civic Center 400 4th St. Columbus, GA 31901 Columbus River Dragons website Columbus Civic Center website Year Opened: 1996 Capacity: 7,459 River Dragons Fire Up Columbus Columbus, Georgia has a long history of minor league ice hockey. The Columbus Cottonmouths were based in the city from 1996-2017. They played in the CHL (1996-2001), the ECHL (2001-2004), and the SPHL (2004-2017) at different points in their history. They won the CHL Championship in 1998. The Columbus River Dragons came into existence in 2019. They are members of the Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL) which serves as the Class A level of professional hockey. Other teams in the FPHL are in Battle Creek, MI, Danbury, CT, Danville, IL, Winston-Salem, NC, Elmira, NY, Harrington, DE, Mentor, OH, and Port Huron, MI. The River Dragons’ lair is the Columbus Civic Center. It was built in 1996 and has a seating capacity of 10,000 (7,459 in its hockey configuration). It also has three suites which are available on a game-by-game basis. The Dragon Party Pits are a set of group/party seating areas located at the ice level at the end of the ice where the River Dragons are on the attack twice during the game. The Civic Center features a Daktronics center-hung four-sided scoreboard. The Dragon’s Den sells team merchandise at the concourse level. Food & Beverage 3 There are six concession stands located at the concourse level of the facility. The number of these stands that are open on a given night depends on the expected attendance. Service was very efficient the night we attended a game, so we did not encounter any lines. The menu of items served at the stands is limited, as it offers only the usual arena staples of hot dogs, candy, popcorn, and soft drinks. Atmosphere 4 The return of hockey to the Columbus area has brought a great deal of excitement to the River City. The team has picked up where the Cottonmouths left off and built on their legacy by offering a very impressive team that won an Ignite Cup in its second year of existence. The staff of the team does a great job of keeping a night out at a game as entertaining as possible. They do all sorts of competitions in between the periods and Scorch and Torch can often be found roaming the stands, posing very willingly with the fans. There is not a bad seat in the house. The concourses are wide and allow for easy navigation between periods or prior to the game. Torch Serves as the River Dragon's Mascot, Photo by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Neighborhood 4 The Columbus Civic Center is in a sports complex known as the South Commons and Golden Park. The complex features the Civic Center, a stand-alone ice skating rink, a baseball park, a football stadium, and a skateboard park. Golden Park is home to a softball stadium that served as the women’s softball venue during the 1996 Olympic Games. The South Commons complex lies along the eastern shore of the Chattahoochee River, which serves as the Georgia/Alabama state border. The Civic Center is just south of downtown Columbus. It is also just north of the Fort Benning Army base. Ft. Benning is the largest training facility for the US Army in the country. There are two military-related museums near the venue. The National Civil War Naval Museum offers a look at the various ships and ironclads used by both the Union and the Confederacy in battles to control access to the ports that were vital supply lines to both sides. This museum is located across the parking lot from the Civic Center. Fort Benning is home to the National Infantry Museum and is located a few blocks east of the Civic Center. Downtown Columbus is located just north of the Civic Center via Veteran’s Parkway. It features the home of blues legend Ma Rainey as well as the homes of John Pemberton, the inventor of the formula for Coca-Cola, and the residence of author Carson McCullers, who wrote: “The Heart is a Lonely Hunter.” Fans 3 The River Dragons fanbase is a combination of the hardcore fans who have been involved in Columbus hockey since 1996. They are easy to identify, as it is not usual to see fans still wearing their Cottonmouth jerseys. The team is very involved in the community, especially doing appearances in local schools and at youth hockey games taking place next door at the Columbus Ice Center. This seems to be paying off, as there are a number of teams at each game. The team recognizes the teams before the game and in between the periods. The youth teams often take the ice themselves in a very short game between the periods. A third component of the fanbase is members of the military. Fort Benning is a close neighbor to the Civic Center and troops going through basic training frequent River Dragons when they are allowed an evening off base. Columbus is also the permanent home for many retired military personnel. Often these service members grew up in towns where hockey is more prevalent than in the South. They know the game well and enjoy seeing it played at any level. Access 4 The Columbus Civic Center is easy to access as it is located at the intersection of two of Columbus’ main thoroughfares. It is equally easy to access from Phenix City, AL, which is just across the state line from Columbus Directions from the North: Take I-85 South to I-185 South. Take I-185 South to Exit 1B (Victory Drive/US Highway 27 North) Turn right at end of the ramp. Continue Victory Drive until you reach the Veteran’s Parkway intersection. Turn left at this intersection into the Civic Center parking lot. Directions from the West: From Phenix City, AL take US Highway 280 East, crossing the Chattahoochee River into Georgia. At the intersection of Victory Drive and Veteran’s Parkway turn right into the Columbus Civic Center’s parking lot. Return on Investment 4 A night out with the River Dragons will not burn a hole in your wallet. Seats on the sides of the rink at both the 100 and 200 level cost $12. Seats at the south end of the ice cost $10. Parking at the Columbus Civic Center is free for River Dragons games. The concessions sold at the Civic Center are very reasonably priced. Hotels in the area cost less than $100 a night. Extras 4 The team mascots are a pair of dragons named Torch and Scorch. Present River Dragons Coach and General Manager Jerome Bechard is “Mr. Hockey” in the Columbus area. He has been a part of the Columbus hockey scene since 2004 as a player, coach, and General Manager. The Columbus Ice Center is located next door to the Civic Center. It serves as the home ice for the youth hockey teams in the area and is also the home ice for the Auburn University club hockey team. The River Dragons are one of the few Class A hockey teams that have a TV contract. WTVM broadcasts twenty-two games a year. Final Thoughts Minor league hockey has returned to the River City in the form of the Columbus River Dragons. They have already brought a great deal of excitement to Columbus as they won the Ignite Cup in only their second year of existence. The Dragon’s Lair is located alongside the Chattahoochee River at the Columbus Civic Center.

Each photo courtesy of the MiLB team that mascot(s) represents I think it is fair to say that American sports fans love a mascot. Virtually every major league sports franchise boasts some colorful, larger-than-life embodiment of their team, and there is even a Hall of Fame  devoted to the best of the best in the mascot world.   One avenue where the mascot truly thrives is in the wild, often carnival-like world of minor league baseball. Minor league teams annually pull out all the stops to keep themselves top-of-mind for their fans, like “colorful” team names, wacky promotions, live entertainment, and of course, the mascots.   Here in Texas, this is no exception. Currently there are 12 minor league franchises in the Lone Star State across multiple levels and multiple leagues. Nine of these ballclubs feature at least one costumed mascot at their home stadiums. Here is a quick rundown – in alphabetical order – of all the minor league mascots in Texas:   Amarillo Sod Poodles   Founded: 2019 Stadium: Hodgetown Stadium League: Double-A Texas League Mascot: RUCKUS the Sod Poodle Ruckus, Photo Courtesy of the Amarillo Sod Poodles For the uninitiated, in the far northern reaches of the panhandle of Texas, a “sod poodle” refers to a prairie dog. Officially recognized as a black-tailed prairie dog, RUCKUS made his debut along with the team in 2019. His bio lists his favorite hobbies as baseball (of course), digging, and sleeping, and his favorite snacks are grass, flowering plants, hot dogs, and Cracker Jack. --- Cleburne Railroaders   Founded: 2017 Stadium: The Depot at Cleburne Station League: American Association of Professional Baseball (Independent) Mascots: Gandy  & Spike Gandy and Spike, Photo Courtesy of the Cleburne Railroaders As could be guessed by their name, the railroad – specifically the Santa Fe Railroad, which built a major hub in the city in 1898 – plays a large part in the history of the north Texas city of Cleburne. With that in mind, the Railroaders’ two mascots play into that history and culture. Spike is literally a railroad spike brought to life, while Gandy pays homage to the Santa Fe workers of the past, who were called “Gandy Dancers”. --- Corpus Christi Hooks   Founded: 2005 Stadium: Whataburger Field League: Double-A Texas League Mascots: Sammy the Seagull  & Rusty the Fish Hook   Sammy and Rusty, Photo Courtesy of the Corpus Christi Hooks Located near the shores of the Gulf of Mexico, the Hooks and their home stadium pay homage to the history and industry of Corpus Christi. Their mascots, Sammy the Seagull and Rusty Hook, have been part of the club since opening day. Rusty is the official logo of the team, while Sammy has a nest atop the left-field foul pole. ---  El Paso Chihuahuas   Founded: 2014 Stadium: Southwest University Park League: Triple-A Pacific Coast League Mascot: Chico   Chico, Photo Courtesy of El Paso Chihuahuas Set in the farthest outpost in the great state of Texas, the city of El Paso is unlike any other in the state. Historic and rugged, the city is equal parts Mexico and Texas. The ballclub takes its name from the Chihuahuan Desert that encompasses the area. The team’s mascot, Chico, is a human-sized Chihuahua dog and one of the most beloved ambassadors of the city. His bio notes that he is a classically trained barker; in college he majored in recognition and retrieval of tennis balls, with a minor in bone-burying. --- Frisco RoughRiders   Founded: 2003 Stadium: Dr Pepper Ballpark League: Double-A Texas League Mascots: Deuce, Daisy, Ted E Bear & Bull Moose Deuce, Daisy, Ted E Bear & Bull Moose, Photos Courtesy of Frisco RoughRiders The Dallas/Fort Worth suburb of Frisco is one of the fastest-growing cities in the country. It has been home to its minor league team for over two decades, with the team named in honor of President Theodore Roosevelt’s famed volunteer cavalry unit, which called Texas their base of operations. The RoughRiders also stake claim to having the most mascots of any team in the state – Deuce  and Daisy  are a male and female pair of prairie dogs, while the other two, Bull Moose  (a nod to the former President’s one-time political party) and Ted E Bear  (a giant bear wearing Roosevelt’s military garb), pay homage to Roosevelt lore. --- Midland RockHounds   Founded: 1999 Stadium: Momentum Bank Ballpark League: Double-A Texas League Mascots: Juice, Rocky, & Chip   Juice, Rocky, & Chip, Photo Courtesy of the Midland RockHounds The West Texas city of Midland sits at the crossroads of the state’s booming oil and gas industries. Their minor league club, one of the oldest continually active ones in the Texas league, owes its name to the energy economy (a “rockhound” is a nickname for a geologist). Midland boasts no less than three mascots: Juice the Moose, who has been with the team since the ‘80s and, according to his bio, spends his off seasons in Montana; Rocky the RockHound, Sr., who is Juice’s best friend and doubles as the team’s logo; and last but not least the newest mascot, Chip the Rock Hammer, who spends his free time digging up dog bones for Rocky. --- Round Rock Express   Founded: 2000 Stadium: Dell Diamond League: Triple-A Pacific Coast League Mascot: Spike     Spike, Photo Courtesy of the Round Rock Express Just north of the capital city of Austin lies Round Rock and its minor league ball club, the Express. Named in honor of team owner Nolan Ryan, the Express has been one of the state’s most successful clubs on the field. The team’s mascot, Spike , is one of my personal favorites, as he is a human-sized bulldog dressed as a train conductor. ---  San Antonio Missions   Founded: 2021 Stadium: Nelson W. Wolff Municipal Stadium League: Double-A Texas League Mascots: Ballapeño  & Mamapeño Ballapeño & Mamapeño, Photo Courtesy of the San Antonio Missions Another of the oldest minor league teams in Texas (historically founded in 1892), and located in the historic city of San Antonio, the team owes its moniker to the 17th century Spanish missions  that dot the city. Including the famed Alamo, these missions are part of the National Park System and were designated as UNESCO World Heritage sites. Officially boasting two mascots ( although a third “unofficial” one  has been part of the team since moving into the Wolff in 1994) in Ballapeño and his mother Mamapeño, they are both human-sized jalapeño peppers. Don’t cross Mamapeño though, lest you feel the wrath of her chancla ! --- Sugar Land Space Cowboys   Founded: 2021 Stadium: Constellation Field League: Triple-A Pacific Coast League Mascot: Orion   Orion, Photo Courtesy of the Sugar Land Space Cowboys The city of Sugar Land is a major suburb of the greater Houston metro area. Founded as a company town for the Imperial Sugar Company, the city has a long and proud sports tradition. The Space Cowboys, named in honor of nearby Houston’s NASA Johnson Space Center, also have one of the more unique mascots in the land in Orion – this blue-hued space canine was found on the Saturn moon of Mimas, but stowed away on an explorer’s spaceship to make Sugar Land his home. ----- Follow Eric Moreno’s Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477 . Visit Eric Moreno’s writer’s portfolio site at ericmoreno.contently.com .

Photos by Jason Karp, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Centene Stadium 1015 25th St N Great Falls, MT 59401 Great Falls Voyagers website Centene Stadium website Year Opened: 1956 Capacity: 4,000 Home of the Great Falls Voyagers Perched on a breezy bluff above the Missouri River, Centene Stadium is the home of the Great Falls Voyagers, a member of the Rookie Advanced Pioneer League’s eight-team circuit and part of the Chicago White Sox farm system. The stadium, originally known as Legion Park, was first constructed in 1940 as a WPA project at the end of the Great Depression. In the 1950s and 60’s the stadium fell into disrepair and minor league baseball left for a time. Citizens of Great Falls banded together to raise funds to renovate the stadium, and minor league baseball returned in the late 1960s. The stadium is owned by the City of Great Falls and is also home to all of Great Falls's American Legion baseball teams. Ongoing renovations including a new office wing in 2003, an expanded concourse in 2010, and a new outfield wall in 2014, along with many more upgrades and improvements give the stadium a more updated and modern look than its 1940 birthday would indicate. The Voyagers, and their alien mascot Orbit, take their name from a famous UFO sighting in 1950 when the General Manager of the Great Falls Electrics, Nick Mariana, caught some film footage of two silver unidentified objects passing over Great Falls. The video helped set off a frenzy of UFO investigations that continues to this day. Food & Beverage 3 It’s been a great surprise touring these Pioneer League ballparks and seeing the nice variety of concessions available. Centene Stadium is no exception. The main concession stands are located underneath the main grandstand. The prices won’t break the bank with a hot dog being $3.00, small soda $3.00, a hamburger $6.00, chicken strips $6.50, and french fries $3.00. Beer is sold below the grandstand as well with domestic and micros available on tap and in aluminum pints and cans. A domestic draft like Bud or Bud Light is $4.50. Local micros are also available including Belgian White, a popular wheat ale brewed in nearby Belt, Montana for $5.50. But that’s not all, there’s some specialty stands located along the third baseline next to the Home Run Club patio selling pizza, bbq, donuts, and the Mighty Mo Brewing Company tent, selling their brews made right here in Great Falls. Atmosphere 3 It’s summertime. It’s a beautiful evening. The beer is tasty and minor league baseball is being played. What a great way to relax and unwind from the day. There are Voyager fans who love their team, but no one gets too worked up about anything. The PA announcer does a good job of keeping the crowd up to date and Orbit the mascot constantly roams around with the local kids in tow. The big blue Montana sky above just adds to the ambiance. Neighborhood 2 The stadium is located amongst some huge grain elevators, railroad tracks, and other industrial buildings. It would be a bit of a hike from the ballpark to any bars or restaurants, but it’s easy to get to those places by bike or car. Residential Great Falls is just a few blocks away with its gridded tree and sidewalk lined street system. There’s a golf course beyond the outfield fence and a Veterans Memorial next to the parking lot to soften the impact of the otherwise industrial neighborhood. Take in the views of the Black Eagle Dam just across River Drive from the stadium. Also just down the road is the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, not be missed if visiting Great Falls, and Giant Springs State Park-also very much worth stopping to see. Downtown Great Falls (3 miles from the stadium) has had some hard times since the 1980s, but it is coming back to life in a wonderful way. There are several interesting bars, restaurants, and shops downtown worth exploring. A couple of highlights are the Celtic Cowboy Pub and Restaurant next to the Hotel Arvon, a boutique hotel located in one of Great Falls’ oldest and completely restored buildings. The campy Sip and Dip Lounge with their swimming mermaids in an aquarium behind the bar is almost world famous. And the Mighty Mo Brewing Company’s taproom has brought back some energy to the area. Great Falls has numerous museums to take in including the aforementioned Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, along with a railroad museum, children’s museum, and the C.M. Russell Museum, featuring the former home, studio, and artwork of Montana’s most famous artist, Charlie Russell. Fans 3 What really stands out to me is the number of kids in the stands. It’s a real family affair at a Voyagers game. The crowd is friendly and knowledgeable. Most of the kids are there for the concessions or to socialize, but there are many hardcore baseball fans who are interested in the game, keeping score, cheering on the individual players, and chastising the umpire if they feel it is necessary. Everyone seems to be having a good time and all encounters are very welcoming to visitors. Access 3 Centene Stadium is located off River Drive, a busy roadway connecting downtown to the industrial areas above the Missouri River and the tourist attractions in the vicinity such as the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center and Giant Springs State Park. The stadium is also easily accessed from the residential street grid from 25th Street North. Just pay attention, as some of the streets, including 25 Street, turn into one-ways. It’s easy to get to the stadium by bicycle or on foot via the street grid. Unfortunately, a direct connection hasn’t been made between the stadium and the extensive River’s Edge Trail system. There are bike racks right next to the ticket window. However, the locals don’t seem to take advantage of this opportunity as there are generally only a few bikes in the bike rack. Free motor vehicle parking is in excessive abundance right next to the stadium. Once parked, many hardcore baseball fans walk the smooth pavement leading to the ticket booth and entrance. Though being a very old stadium, renovations have been retrofitted well to make the facility handicapped accessible. Return on Investment 3 Ticket prices are pretty reasonable at $10 for box seats behind home plate and $8 for general admission bleacher seats. There are always ticket promotions throughout the season as well; just check the Voyagers official website. A generous amount of reserved and general admission seating is undercover for those hot sunny day games. The metal bleachers are a little on the hard side, so a seat cushion is a good thing to have. Concessions are not unreasonably expensive for a minor-league baseball game, and there are lots of choices. There’s no reason to leave Centene Stadium hungry or thirsty. Extras 3 One bonus point for the roof over the main grandstand. Many newer ballparks seem to be lacking this amenity, but it makes going to a baseball game in the summer an altogether more pleasant experience on hot and/or breezy days, and Great Falls gets a lot of both. One bonus point for the Great Falls River’s Edge Trail system. Though it doesn’t directly connect to the stadium, this extensive trail system takes visitors by bike or on foot along both sides of the magnificent Missouri River. There are all sorts of interpretive signs along the paths and there are great views of the dams and what’s left of the waterfalls that give the City its name. One bonus point for Great Falls founder, Paris Gibson, who laid out the City in such a logical way and with generous amounts of parkland-especially along the river. Gibson’s influence has fostered a strong sense of community in Great Falls, and it shows in the many public amenities available, including many parks, museums, trails, and the City-owned Centene Stadium. Whether you are a Montanan looking for a weekend getaway, or a tourist passing through the state, Great Falls is a great place to spend a few days in the summertime. Final Thoughts Going to Centene Stadium will give you a pretty typical minor-league baseball experience, and a typical minor-league experience is a wonderful experience.

Photos by Tyler Huskinson, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Brent Brown Ballpark 970 West University Pkwy Orem, UT 84058 Brent Brown Ballpark website Year Opened: 2005 Capacity: 5,000 Orem’s Owlz If anyone is looking for a good baseball game in a beautiful venue, a trip to Utah County for an Orem Owlz game is a must. The Owlz have played in Utah Valley University’s Brent Brown Ballpark since 2005, and theres no reason to think that will change any time soon. The stadium seats 5,000 spectators and boasts beautiful views of the Wasatch Mountains to the west. The Owlz have competed in the Pioneer League since 2001 and are a rookie league affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Food & Beverage 3 The stadium offers typical ballpark food but few specialties. There are two main concession options, All-Star and Grand Slam. The former offers hot dogs, pretzels, peanuts and popcorn for $3, and jumbo hot dogs, chili cheese fries and nachos for $4. Combo meals are available, as well. Grand Slam features typical grill items. Burgers, corn dogs, chicken sandwiches and chicken tenders are available in combos between $6 and $9. Ice cream is also available around the stadium, and drinks (Coke and Pepsi products) range from $2-$5. No ballpark item really stands out from other stadiums. There aren’t any local Utah flavors or dishes available on the menus. Atmosphere 3 Owlz games don’t draw a typical baseball crowd. The fans are mostly families, with young children overly abundant throughout the stands. Many families sit in the general admission section, which is a grass lawn that stretches from third base to the end of left field. To the left of the main entrance, inflatables and playground equipment are also available for children. The Owlz make their games very family friendly, which in turn draws plenty of families from the Utah County area to each game . For those seeking a traditional baseball atmosphere, though, Orem may not be on the top of your list. Walk-up music for batters is barely audible, as are other tunes (mainly country selections) that plays in between innings. Alcohol is not allowed inside the stadium. A definite plus is the location. Beautiful views of the Wasatch Mountain Range to the west are available to nearly anyone in the stadium, but more visible to those sitting on the first base side. Neighborhood 4 There may not be a ballpark in the state that is more accessible than Brent Brown. Taking exit 269 off of I-15 puts you in danger of getting hit by a home run, and driving one more block leads you in the parking lot. Driving down University Parkway supplies several pre or postgame eating options. J Dawgs is a classic Provo-born hot dog chain, featuring some of the best “dawgs” available on this side of Chicago. Across the street is In-N-Out Burger, a traditional Cali-born burger joint. Local fresh-Mex favorite Cafe Rio (3.5 miles away) is a little farther down the road, but definitely worth it. Attractions in the area include Seven Peaks Water Park in Provo and countless recreational activities up Provo Canyon. Fans 3 The typical crowd at games is comprised of young families. There isn’t a whole lot of raucous cheering and the ballpark never gets too loud. That said, not much should be expected, as rookie level baseball teams never have too passionate of fan bases. There are a few big-time Owlz fans but not many. Orem usually ranks in the top half of the Pioneer League in attendance, though, which is a notable feat. Access 4 There can’t really be an easier way to access the stadium off of I-15. The only close place to park, though, is the lot outside of the University’s UCCU Center, which costs a few bucks. The concourses inside the stadium are never too crowded, and the facilities are kept clean. Return on Investment 5 There may not be a better-priced ticket for any professional sport in the state. $12 lands you front row seats behind home plate (if you buy them in time), and $4 gets you general admission seats on the grass. Typically, fans spend more on parking and concessions than on the tickets themselves. Extras 3 One extra point for the impressive in-stadium advertising, despite sharing a ballpark with Utah Valley University. There is no shortage of Owlz signs and logos strewn throughout the concourse and outfield. Another extra point for the great promotions. The Owlz have a different promotion for every game, ranging from Christmas in July to Back Hair Night. Go figure. One final extra point for their “Field of Dreams” program. Like most professional soccer teams, the Owlz select a local youth baseball team to accompany the players onto the field and join them for the national anthem. Final Thoughts A great place to savor a summer night. If you’re expecting a major league atmosphere, then Orem isn’t the place for you; but if you want an enjoyable evening at the ballpark, be their guest.

Photos by Google Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Lofton Road S Africa Rd, Shepherd’s Bush London W12 7PJ Queens Park Rangers website Loftus Road website Year Opened: 1904 Capacity: 18,439 Loftus Road – Heading Down the Bush Loftus Road is an 18,439-seat stadium that has been home to the Queens Park Ranger since 1917. The name of the stadium was called Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium from 2019-2022 but has reverted back to its original name. However, what the west London venue lacks in size it certainly makes up for in other ways; the intimate nature of the venue creates a cracking atmosphere, and there probably is no stadium with better access by public transport, nor one with a more eclectic mix in the streets and areas that surround it. After a nomadic existence around west London after they were formed in 1886, QPR first played on Loftus Road in 1920 and after moving away to the nearby White City Stadium, they returned in 1933 and it has been their home since. Floodlights were installed in 1953 and in 1967 the club won its first major trophy, the Football League Cup, with promotion to the top flight for the first time coming a year later. At the start of 1980s Loftus Road became the first of four football league grounds to install a plastic pitch, but after seven seasons with the “drastic plastic,” as it was known, it was replaced with grass. At the start of the millennium, Fulham shared Loftus Road while their Craven Cottage home was brought up to code for the Premier League. A short while before then, rugby club London Wasps ensured that the ground staff was kept on their toes with matches taking place on alternate weekends to Rangers. One of the stadium’s greatest nights came in 1985 when Northern Irish boxer Barry McGuigan challenged the Panamanian Eusebio Pedroza for the WBA featherweight championship. Over 27,000 packed the venue and roared on the Clones Cyclone, who won on points after 15 breathless rounds. There are plans to open a new 40,000 stadium in nearby Old Oak, but until they are firmed up and dates announced for the opening, Loftus Road will continue to provide a cozy home, as it has for most of the last 100 years. Food & Beverage 3 In the stadium itself, the food is the usual option of pies, burgers, hot dogs, and chips washed down with a choice of beer, soda, cider, tea, or coffee. Expect to pay around £5 ($8) for something to fill your belly and wet your whistle. Atmosphere 4 The tight-packed nature of Loftus Road gives the impression that you could easily shout across the pitch and whatever you had to say would be heard by all. It also means that whenever there is a full house and the crowd finds their voices, the atmosphere reverberates around the four interlocking stands. The colours of blue dominate the four straight and narrow stands that make up the facility. It is a completely enclosed venue that is compact and straightforward. Slim floodlights are atop two of the stadium’s stands and a video screen is located for stats and reviews. The South Africa Road stand is the best place to sit and stands out as a two-tiered seating structure that features a mostly unobstructed view of the pitch. The stand is also home to the Paddocks. The Ellerslie Road stand is the smallest but perhaps the nosiest; it is also the only stand not to be painted in blue and white hoops. The majority of the ground’s atmosphere is generated here and is considered the best spot to view a game, also the loudest. Neighborhood 4 Outside the ground, the varied ethnic mix means there is a variety of eating options from traditional London in the form of pie and mash, Caribbean, Middle Eastern, Antipodean, Polish, and the ubiquitous fried chicken shop. Like many traditionally working-class areas of London, White City and Shepherd’s Bush are currently going through a gentrification process with modern buildings and house prices going up rapidly. For those wanting something a bit more upmarket there are a wide variety of choices at the Westfield Shopping Centre, Europe’s largest, only a mile from the ground. Westfield Shopping Centre is one of two in London and part of Australian Frank Lowy’s Westfield empire. As well as being able to get some shopping in before and catch a movie after the match there are some highly regarded restaurant chains. Try Jamie’s (Oliver) Italian, which provides the usual Italian fare, but with this reportedly QPR-supporting chef’s twist on things. A main with starter or dessert plus wine should set you back about £25 ($42). Further along, Uxbridge Road is an area of the aforementioned strong ethnic mix, where food and good prices are far more varied and far cheaper than in Westfield. There is some disquiet from the locals at how the area is changing, not least with the cost of houses and rent and while parts aren’t exactly the most salubrious, overall it is a fairly harmless part of west London that is going through a fairly large change. Fans 4 Queens Park Rangers fans may be called all manner of names, but glory hunting isn’t one of them after a roller-coaster existence in recent years. They were one of the original clubs in the Premier League’s first season, 1992-93, but after a short period of progress under Ray Wilkins in the mid-90s, life has since been one of joy followed shortly by despair. As such, those who attend matches are among the most loyal and vocal of supporters around, who enjoy the good times and don’t get too hysterical when things go wrong, knowing full well the next swing of fate is just around the corner. Access 3 Part of the boon of the Westfield Centre being built was the improvement in transport options. Underground stations Shepherd’s Bush and White City on the Central Line, Wood Lane and Shepherd’s Bush Market on the Hammersmith and City Line, as well as Shepherd’s Bush overground station, are all short walks of no more than 10 minutes to the Loftus Road. Several buses run through Shepherd’s Bush green taking folks north and south, east and west; the 283 to Bloemfontein Road or the 72, 95, or 220 to White City Station go nearest the stadium. It means that traveling by car is rendered almost pointless, which is no bad thing as parking is limited and what there is, is costly. Also, most roads are residents’ parking only, which means an army of traffic wardens flood the area on match day, leaving a few fans in a less than amused mood once they return to their cars. Return on Investment 3 Ticket prices for QPR matches for adults are £28 and £for seniors in all of the stands at the grounds. The price also depends on the opponent of the match but with the club in the EFL Championship, tickets should be priced right for your budget. Food and drink are also adequately priced and souvenirs, such as an official kit sell for £46.99. Extras 3 The Loftus Road shop serves all manner of paraphernalia in blue and white hoops at a wide range of prices, while there are stadium tours laid on throughout the year normally during school holidays; check the website for information. Then of course is the aforementioned Westfield Shopping Centre; Europe’s largest where you can shop, eat and drink to your heart’s content till 10 pm and of course the delights of London’s west end are only a short tube ride away. Final Thoughts While the date of the move to the new stadium has yet to be given a time frame, it does mean that fans have the chance to attend one of the Premier League’s last-standing traditional venues. Walking to the ground through the narrow streets and sitting near other fans is what gives the ground such character and will be hard to create once they move. That said, those characteristics are what has stopped the ground from being developed, which in turn has condemned fans to watch a yo-yo existence over the past few years, so the chance to build a bigger venue with a greater revenue stream is imperative for the club’s future success.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Meade Stadium Keaney Ave. Kingston, RI 02881 Rhode Island Rams football website Meade Stadium website Year Opened: 1928 Capacity: 6,555 Rhode Trip Meade Stadium, home of the University of Rhode Island Rams football team, is located on the URI campus in Kingston, Rhode Island. It is named after class of 1915 alum, booster, and local politician John E. “Jack” Meade, who was rumored to never have missed a home game from the time he attended URI until his death in 1972. Meade Stadium opened in 1928 and has gone through numerous renovations over its history. The most recent improvements have included the construction of the west grandstand and locker rooms as part of the Thomas J. Ryan Center in 2000, a massive renovation to the press box in 2003 and the installation of a new synthetic turf field and lighting in 2019. Football teams have represented URI since 1895. A longtime member of Division 1-AA/FCS, the Rams have qualified for the playoffs on three occasions, most recently in 1985. URI football now competes in the Colonial Athletic Association alongside other eastern universities. 20 Rams alumni have played in the National Football League. Food & Beverage 4 The concessions at Meade Stadium are a mix of permanent stands, pop-up tents and food trucks. The stands inside the Ryan Center directly behind the west grandstand are open for Ram football games. In addition to these stands, Rhody Eats (the URI dining service) operates some pop-up tents which sell specialty hot dogs and sausage sandwiches. Menu variety is achieved by the placement of several food trucks scattered around the south end zone. During Stadium Journey’s most recent visit, food trucks offering BBQ, tacos, mac and cheese and of course, this being Rhode Island, lobster rolls were on display. Pepsi products are sold at Meade Stadium. Certain stands have beer and wine available. In addition to national brands Bud Light and Michelob Ultra, local favorites from Narragansett and Whalers brewery are featured. Atmosphere 3 A football game at basic Meade Stadium in rural Kingston, Rhode Island isn’t the place to go for an extravagant game day experience. What you’ll get at a URI football game is exactly what feels right here. It’s a laid back, simple and enjoyable place to spend a fall afternoon. All the elements college football fans would expect to find at a small stadium can be found at Meade Stadium. The pep band performs throughout the afternoon, along with the cheerleaders and dance squad. There’s a decent turnout by the student body, but they don’t really add much to the gameday atmosphere. A Rams crowd is full of alumni and families rooting hard for the team down on the field. A simple scoreboard in the south end zone displays basic game information. Music plays over a solid sound system when the band isn’t playing. A unique feature about coming to Meade Stadium is that you’ll want to be in the shady west stands early in the season, but in the sunny east stands later in the year as the weather cools. Neighborhood 2 Given the University of Rhode Island’s rural location, there are not many dining or lodging options available adjacent to Meade Stadium. Those willing to travel a short distance will find many restaurants or places of interest nearby. The Mews Tavern in nearby Wakefield boasts 69 beers on taps and an extensive bar menu. It is a favorite of the student body. The Matunuck Oyster Bar is a favorite for locally sourced seafood. In addition, Narragansett, located 8 miles to the south, Newport, 16 miles to the east, and Providence, 29 miles to the north, offer a wide variety of dining, lodging, and tourist options for the adventurous football fan. There are no lodging options directly adjacent to the URI campus, so fans looking to stay near URI overnight will need to look elsewhere. There are some options in nearby South Kingstown (yes, Kingston and Kingstown are two different places) and beyond. Fans looking to make a weekend of their trip to URI would be advised to check out Newport or Providence, both short drives from campus. Fans 3 Attendance at Rhode Island football games has been on the rise in recent seasons along with the improvement of the Rams. Traditionally Rhode Island averages between 5,000-6,000 fans per game, which is a bit below the CAA average. There is a decent turnout from the student body, even if they don’t add a whole lot to the game day atmosphere. The majority of the crowd at Meade Stadium consists of locals and alumni who have been coming to Kingston for years. Rhode Island is a small state, after all, and it doesn’t take long to get to URI, no matter from what part of the state you are coming. Access 3 Meade Stadium is located on the western side of the URI campus in Kingston, Rhode Island. The small town of Kingston is located 29 miles south of Providence and 20 minutes south of T.F. Green Airport. Driving to Kingston from Providence will take you about 40 minutes on a normal Saturday. The campus is located on Route 138, approximately a 10-mile drive from I-95 as it passes through southern Rhode Island. The URI campus is well-served by public transportation, with several RIPTA bus routes serving the campus from Providence. In addition, the Kingstown train station is about two miles away from campus, with Amtrak making regular stops at the station. Parking around Meade Stadium is plentiful and inexpensive. Lots that permit tailgating are located next to the stadium. It will cost $15 for a tailgating permit. Parking lots further away from Meade Stadium are free of charge. The tailgating scene at URI is decidedly laid back. Fans will enter Meade Stadium via one of three entrances located around the facility. Seating at Meade Stadium consists of a large grandstand on the east side of the stadium and a smaller grandstand on the west side. Seating in the east grandstand consists of metal bleachers without backs. This is not the most accessible seating area you’ll come across. The old wooden grandstand features lots of stairs, high steps and unpaved walkways. The newer west grandstand is attached to the Ryan Center, with individual stadium seats in the center sections. The two sides of the facility are connected via a walkway on the south side of the stadium. There is plenty of standing room here, as well as tents available at field level. The amenities at Meade Stadium vary depending on which side of the stadium you are sitting. Concession stands and rest rooms on the west side of the stadium are older but will still meet your needs. On the east side of the stadium, the concession stands and rest rooms are located inside the Ryan Center. These are much more modern and plentiful. Return on Investment 4 Rhode Island football games are divided into two categories: Standard and Premium. Ticketing for Standard games is priced at $20 per ticket for general admission bleacher seating in the east grandstand, $30 for reserved bleacher seats in the west grandstand and $35 for reserved individual seats in the west grandstand. All ticket prices are increased by $10 for Premium games, which are generally the Alumni/Family weekends. Parking is available in the many lots on either side of Meade Stadium. Many lots are designated as free lots. If you wish to park in one of the tailgating lots closest to the stadium, permits for these lots cost $15. Extras 2 The cannon which is fired after all Rams scores has moved to a corner of the north end zone but is still a prominent feature at Meade Stadium. Fans of the nearby New England Patriots may think of the crew donning Revolutionary War-era garb as a scaled-down version of Gillette Stadium’s end zone militia. Banners hanging along the back of the north end zone honor Ram All-Americans, conference titles and tournament appearances. Final Thoughts Meade Stadium, originally constructed in 1928, is an interesting mix of old and new. Whether you sit in the shady new stands attached to the Ryan Center or the older grandstand basking in the sun, a fall afternoon in Kingston is guaranteed to be a laid-back, comfortable experience. Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Emma Sutherland, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Wheeler Sports Center 1200 Fulton St Newberg, OR 97132 George Fox Bruins website Wheeler Sports Center website Year Opened: 1977 Capacity: 2,700 George Fox Basketball Located on George Fox’s picturesque campus inside Wheeler Sports Center, Miller Gymnasium provides a great experience for college basketball. The gym holds 2700 fans who attend to cheer on the Bruins, who play in the NCAA III Division, Northwest Conference. Food & Beverage 2 Basketball games at Miller Gymnasium offer your typical stadium concessions. For food, hot dogs and popcorn are available, and Coca-Cola products are your options for drinks. While it is hard to compete with the incredible variety provided by the food trucks at Bruin football games , more options for food and beverages at basketball games would enhance the experience. Atmosphere 3 Miller Gymnasium offers a nostalgic, vintage feel while still being spacious and comfortable. Plenty of seating on both sides of the court offers great views of the action. While the bleachers extend far up to the top of the gym, the width of the building ensures you are not too far from the game. An energetic announcer, along with a well-placed scoreboard in the sight of every seat, keeps the crowd entertained and informed. Neighborhood 5 With downtown Newberg just a 10-minute walk away, Wheeler Sports Center is close to several great restaurants and local shops. Newberg itself has been ranked as one of the safest places in Oregon, and with it being extremely walkable, everything you need is within a few blocks. Newberg provides a wide variety of dining options. A few personal favorites include Thai the Knot (just down the street from the stadium) and Old Town Bar and Grill. Several fast food restaurants are located on the other side of town, which is just a short drive away. Besides great restaurants, Newberg has several local shops, which include antique and clothing stores. Velour (vintage clothing and decor) and Wine Country Antiques are two of my favorite places to shop. A movie theater as well as a drive-in theater can also be found in Newberg. If you are looking to drive a bit, Portland is about 40 minutes from Newberg and has endless options for entertainment, including the zoo, OMSI, as well as many restaurants and bars. Options for lodging in Newberg include a Best Western and a Holiday Inn. Fans 3 Fans typically dress in the Old Gold and Navy Blue George Fox colors to attend games and cheer on the Bruins. Students are passionate about their team and stay involved throughout the action. While it can vary between regular season and tournament games, the gym is usually at half to three-quarters capacity. Access 5 The layout of Wheeler Sports Center makes everything easy to locate. The concessions are located just outside the gym in the lobby, and restrooms are close by. The gym itself is spacious, with plenty of room for fans to sit on both sides of the court. While there is no longer public transit service in Newberg, the town is small enough to be easily walkable anywhere around the stadium. Uber and Lyft rides are available in Newberg. Parking is available just down the street from the stadium off Fulton Street. Other parking lots are available around campus off of Villa and Meridian. Street parking is also available near campus but usually fills up quickly. For easy access to the front doors of the gym, a bridge is located between the Fulton Street Parking lot and Wheeler. While season tickets are not available for Bruin basketball games, tickets can be bought at the door. Return on Investment 5 With ticket prices being $10 for adults and $5 for kids under 18, seeing a basketball game at George Fox is an affordable way to spend your evening. Parking on campus or in the neighborhood is free. . Extras 1 When attending a basketball game at Wheeler, be sure to check out the George Fox Hall of Fame, located just inside the lobby next to the concessions. Final Thoughts Wheeler Sports Center is a great venue to see local Bruin basketball. Newberg is a great community to visit, and the close proximity of the gymnasium to town makes everything you need within walking distance.

Photos by Dave Cottenie and Michael Rusiglnuolo, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Mirabito Stadium 211 Henry St Binghamton, NY 13901 Binghamton Rumble Ponies website Mirabito Stadium website Year Opened: 1992 Capacity: 6,012 Welcome to Rumbletown Established as the Williamsport Bills in 1987, the Binghamton Rumble Ponies found their home in Upstate New York in 1992 and became the Double-A affiliate of the New York Mets.  Originally branded as the Binghamton Mets, the team abandoned the parent branding in 2017 and took advantage of a Minor League Baseball landscape where the more unique the identity, the better the situation.  Nodding to the city of Binghamton as the Carousel Capital of the World, a name the team contest yielded the moniker of the Rumble Ponies, referring to the horses found on a carousel.  Binghamton narrowly escaped the 2019 purge of 42 MiLB teams.  During their tenure in Binghamton, the Rumble Ponies have always been affiliated with the New York Mets and members of the Eastern League. Marking the move to Binghamton for the team [possible was the opening of Mirabito Stadium. Known originally as  Binghamton Municipal Stadium from 1992 to 2001 and NYSEG Stadium from 2001 to 2021, the city-owned stadium offers a capacity of over 6,000.  The naming rights were sold to Mirabito Energy Products in 2021.  Food & Beverage 4 The concession scene at Mirabito Stadium is strong.  The Pit Stop concession stands under the grandstand offer burgers, chicken sandwiches, fries, chicken tenders, pizza, nachos popcorn, and pretzels.  A couple of other free-standing concession points are of interest including the Southern Tier Cheesesteak stand and the Carousel Creamery and Lupos stand on the right field side are worth checking out.  Coca-Cola products are the soft drink of choice at Mirabito Stadium and a fairly decent beer selection featuring New Belgium products on tap can be found also.  A couple of signature items that fans should consider include the Grampwich Sandwich, a sausage patty sandwich with cheese, peppers, and onions, and local delicacy Spiedies (pronounced “speedys”).  Overall, there is just enough at Mirabito Stadium to satisfy just about everyone and not be overwhelming. Atmosphere 3 Mirabito Stadium has a bit of a unique exterior with light-colored tiles at the home plate side of the ballpark where the ticket windows can be found.   Attractive wrought iron fencing surrounds the ballpark and huge logos of the Rumble Ponies and New York Mets ensure that passers-by know who plays at the stadium.  A marker of note stands for Bud Fowler, who played for the Binghamton Bingos in 1887 and was one of the first players to integrate professional baseball.  He was also elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2022. Although entering Mirabito Stadium from the home plate side is an option, many people will enter the right field gate on the east side of the stadium as it is closest to the parking lot.  Both spots have small plazas which are good for meeting spots.  Once fans have entered the ballpark, it begins to show its age a bit.  The main grandstand is a split-level, single bowl with an exterior walkway.  Some of the upper-tier seats are covered with an overhang.  Mirabito Stadium does not offer a 360 path around the ballpark.  Underneath the grandstand, it is fairly dark and does not offer an open view of the field as is found in many other ballparks.  The Rumble Ponies attempt to overcome this shortcoming with a full embracing of their brand and history.  The concourses are littered with Binghamton Rumble Ponies markings including murals with logos and slogans.  Of interest is the Binghamton Baseball Shrine, which is a mural including the royalty of Binghamton baseball, Bud Fowler, Steve Kraly, Thurman Munson, Jason Isringhausen, Whitey Ford and David Wright.  Surrounding the shrine are plaques commemorating the members of the Binghamton Baseball Hall of Fame.  As a longstanding feeder of talent to the New York Mets, many names are recognizable to fans.  Other pillars include banners featuring more recent Rumble Ponies to make it to the Show.  Surprisingly, there was no noticeable sign of one of the most famous members of the Binghamton Rumble Ponies, former Heisman Trophy winner, Tim Tebow.  Mirabito Stadium offers a variety of seating options outside of the regular grandstand.  Bar seating is found on the right field side and high-top tables on the left field side with a pavilion at the back corner of left field.  The right field side of the stadium, near the entry gate, features the kid zone complete with an inflatable play area and Rumble Ponies metal benches for waiting parents. The gameday production in Binghamton is fairly simple.  Mascots Rowdy and Ruby take part in the pregame festivities and can be found interacting with the crowd while the PA announcer chooses some interesting musical selections for visitors walking up.  It is not overproduced and not lacking, a good balance for fans.  Mirabito Stadium also offers an interesting backdrop with fans able to view passing trains from the railyard immediately north of the stadium and the rolling mountains beyond right field. Neighborhood 3 Mirabito Stadium is located on the edge of Downtown Binghamton, between the Susquehanna and Chenango Rivers.  With a modest population of over 47,000, Binghamton does not have the most interesting of downtowns, but there are a few options for pre and post-game food and drink including Station 45 American Chop House, AMICI, Little Venice, Burger Monday, River Bistro and Rolando’s Diner.  There are a couple of other sporting options in Binghamton.  The Binghamton Bearcats  of SUNY Binghamton, aka Binghamton University, play basketball on campus.  The Bearcats  also play baseball and other NCAA sports.  The school boasts Tony Kornheiser of ESPN’s Pardon The Interruption as an alumnus.  Formerly an AHL city, Binghamton now offers the Black Bears of the FPHL.  Other tourist options in Binghamton include Phelps Mansion Museum, Ross Park Zoo, or finding one of the city’s numerous carousels, possibly the one at Rec Park.  For fans wishing to stay near the ballpark, the Holiday Inn and DoubleTree are good options. Fans 3 There is room for improvement when it comes to Binghamton Rumble Ponies attendance.  In the 2023 season, the Binghamton Rumble Ponies averaged over 3,100 fans per game.  This ranked 73rd in all of Minor League Baseball and more specifically 11th in the 12-team Eastern League.  The fans in attendance at the game reviewed were pretty quiet and reserved.  It must be noted that the game reviewed was an early weekday game including a makeup doubleheader.  Attendance, as expected, spikes for the weekend, however, there is still plenty of room for improvement.   Access 4 Mirabito Stadium is located in Downtown Binghamton, between the Chenango and Susquehanna Rivers, at the corner of Henry Street and Fayette Street.  It is south of I-86 and west of Highway 363 and not difficult to get to.  There is plenty of parking on-site, which can be had for a nominal cost.  For fans wishing to take public transit, there are buses on Chenango Street.  Fans should consult the Broome County Transit  website for fares, maps, and schedules.  Getting around the ballpark is not too difficult, although a big crowd could make moving under the grandstand could be more difficult.  Washroom facilities are acceptable for the fans in attendance. Stadium Journey recommends checking the Binghamton Rumble Ponies  website for the most up-to-date security info including prohibited items, gate opening times, and security protocols. Return on Investment 4 The Binghamton Rumble Ponies experience is very affordable.  Tickets for the Rumble Ponies run from $11 for the cheapest seats, up to $25 for the first row in the grandstand.  Concession prices are what one would expect and parking is a nominal $5.  The Rumble Ponies provide a solid environment for baseball and the Eastern League at the Double-A level provides, arguably, the best prospects for Minor League Baseball. Extras 3 An extra mark for the unique theme of the Rumble Ponies with the local ties to the Carousel Capital of the World. An extra mark for the display of team history found at Mirabito Stadium. An extra mark for the long-standing affiliation the Rumble Ponies enjoy with the New York Mets. Final Thoughts A trip to Upstate New York and the Binghamton Rumble Ponies is a great way to take in some Minor League Baseball.  Mirabito Stadium offers a solid facility for baseball.  There is plenty of fun in Rumbletown. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on YouTube , Twitter , Threads  and Instagram @profan9.

Iowa Speedway hosted its first NASCAR Cup Series race, the Iowa Corn 350, on Sunday evening and to say it was anything other than a complete success would be an understatement. Fans showed up in droves not only for the Cup race on Sunday, but the stands were packed on Saturday for the Xfinity Series race and there was also a great turnout for the ARCA race on Friday. Last October when Iowa Governor, Kim Reynolds, Cup driver Brad Keselowski, and other NASCAR luminaries made the announcement that a Cup race was coming to the speedway, excitement of NASCAR fans in Iowa and surrounding states soared. Cup Series tickets sold out during the presale. The Xfinity race sold out as well and there weren’t many tickets left for Friday’s slate of Cup practice and an ARCA Menards race. For fans, there were little issues that could be expected for such a large influx of people. Lines to get in could move a little quicker, there could be a few more restrooms, and the logistics of leaving the area with 30,000-plus other people could have been a bit better planned, but all-in-all, it seemed to go very well. From the driver’s perspective, many spoke highly of the track, having run there in ARCA or Xfinity races. In fact, 10 drivers have previously won races at other levels in Iowa. There was some concern about a repave of turns 2 and 4 and the effect it would have on tire wear. The results and effects of the repave weren’t completely conclusive, but many drivers wanted to come back, including Iowa Corn 350 winner Ryan Blaney, whose mother is from Iowa. Blaney told the Des Moines Register , “…Honestly, it exceeded my expectations as far as race-ability. The crowd tonight was awesome. If that doesn’t make you want to come back, I don’t know what will.” There was some doubt whether this time would ever come. Iowa Speedway opened in 2006. Despite rumors of the top level of NASCAR coming to Iowa, nothing ever materialized. The speedway hosted numerous events including the ARCA Menards Series and Xfinity Series along with IndyCar series events. In 2019, the track was purchased by NASCAR and hopes once again surged that a long-awaited Cup race would be possible. Those hopes were quickly dampened by the Covid epidemic. Since Covid, an IndyCar weekend has returned. ARCA Menards Series races came back as well but were not well attended. Attendance wasn’t a problem this weekend. Fans showed up early to take in other activities before the races. At the NASCAR experience area, you could listen to a NASCAR podcast being recorded by driver Corey LaJoie, attend driver Q&A sessions, and get autographs. Drivers made appearances and signed autographs at other sponsors displays throughout the weekend and most fans seemed to leave with at least one item from their favorite driver or team from the numerous merchandise areas. All things considered, the weekend couldn’t have gone much better if you made the trip to Newton, Iowa and Iowa Speedway.. Will the Cup series race return in 2025 and beyond? Time will tell. But for one hot and steamy weekend in June, the “fastest short track on the planet” proved it can be a player on one of auto racing’s biggest stages.

Does the NHL need expansion and what cities should be awarded?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Audio versions of the Stadium Journey podcast can be found by searching HIAC Talk Radio   wherever you look for your favorite podcasts. Video simulcasts of all the Stadium Journey podcasts can be found on Stadium Journey's YouTube page . Join us live as we record every other Monday on our social media streaming channels.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Bill Gies Recreation Centre 1401 Queens Bush Rd Wellesley, ON N0B 2T0 Wellesley Applejacks website Bill Gies Recreation Centre website Year Opened: 2023 Capacity: 500 A is for Apple … J is for Jacks For people of a certain vintage, the lyric “A is for Apple … J is for Jacks” produces an earworm of a jingle advertising sugary breakfast cereal, Apple Jacks.  In Wellesley, Ontario, Applejacks has a bit of a different connotation.  The Wellesley Applejacks were established in 1987 and began play at the Junior D level.  Their name is derived from the Wellesley Apple Butter and Cheese Festival which attracts thousands to the area each fall.  The Applejacks moved up to the Junior C level when Junior D was dissolved.  The Jacks currently play in the Provincial Junior Hockey League in the Doherty Division.  In their short time in Junior C, the Applejacks have already earned a Schmalz Cup in 2023 as the champions of Junior C hockey in Ontario. The Applejacks moved to a brand new home in 2023.  The Bill Gies Recreation Centre was built as a replacement for the outdated Wellesley Arena.  The Rec Centre was named after donor Bill Gies who was a home builder in the area.  Construction delays and funding issues forced the Applejacks to begin the 2023 season at the St. Clements Arena.  Wellesley is a township that includes the town proper and surrounding agricultural areas and small communities, with a township population of over 11,000. Food & Beverage 2 There is a very small snack bar on a temporary table in the upper level of the Bill Gies Recreation Centre that doubles as the Blueline Club.  Chips, candy and popcorn are available.  Pepsi products and coffee are the main soft drinks available, however if fans wish to try something truly local, then the hot apple cider will be the drink of choice.  A kiosk in the same area sells beer and other alcoholic beverages. Atmosphere 3 Bill Gies Recreation Centre is one of the newest facilities in the PJHL.  The exterior is fairly simple with light siding above tinted glass and dark brick.  The main entry to the centre is on the east side.  It opens to a lobby with temporary tables selling tickets and 50/50 tickets.  Since the building is new, there is not much in the way of history or other interesting items about the community for fans to look at.  The lobby is at ice level and has windows allowing fans to see the game.  Fans will need to head up the stairs to access the Blueline Club and the seating area.  The Blueline Club is above the lobby at the east side and also has temporary merchandise tables. Inside the arena, entry is from the east side and the ice is oriented from west to east.  The spot to get that perfect centre ice logo picture is from the south.  All of the seating in the arena is on the south side, which includes five rows of plastic seats.  The sections closest to the ends offer wooden benches.  The seating area is elevated above the ice surface providing better sightlines.  The bottom row of seating is at about the same height as the top of the glass.  A bit of a unique aspect of this arena is the track that encircles the ice surface at the upper level.  On the west end and north side it offers the perfect view for fans who like to stand during the game, but for whom ice level is not choice.  The northwest corner offers a mini-stick arena which can keep the youngsters occupied as well as keep those pesky mini stick games contained.  A simple scoreclock hangs above centre ice and to the west are the Wellesley Applejacks championship banners, featuring the 2023 Schmalz Cup.  The Applejacks embrace their history also keeping banners for their Junior D titles. The gameday production at an Applejacks game is fairly simple.  The PA system is good and the announcer does a good job with announcements and promotions, not getting overly excitable and more difficult to understand.  His reference to the arena as the Wellesley Orchard is an original aspect of the team. Neighbourhood 2 Wellesley is a small community at the west end of Waterloo Region.  It is the epitome of a small town.  There are a couple of spots for pre or post game food or drink, however, fans may want to consider doing their research for gameday as Wellesley is very quiet at night.  Schmidtsville Restaurant and Olympic Pizza are the options in town.  Fans will have to head to Waterloo if they are looking for something else.  The Applejacks are definitely the only game in town, but Wellesley is close to New Hamburg, Tavistock and Woodstock so away games are not a challenge at all.  The area is known for the Wellesley Apple Butter and Cheese Festival.  For fans wishing to stay in the area, there are some B&B possibilities.  Heading to Shakespeare or Waterloo will be where fans need to go for a more traditional hotel. Fans 3 Assessing fans in the PJHL is difficult as some teams do not publish attendance figures and the league does not compile and publish attendance statistics.  At the time of writing, for the 2023-24 season, the Wellesley Applejacks attracted around 230 fans per game.  The game being reviewed saw a good crowd of over 360 fans.  The previous season, the Applejacks attracted nearly 190 fans per game, however the Bill Gies Recreation Centre was just opened and the first 9 games of the season were held in St. Clements.  There is constant motion at an Applejacks game with kids running all over, one of the detriments of having a track around the rink.  The fans in attendance are knowledgeable and supportive and due to the competitive nature of the division, there are always plenty of fans of the visiting team as well.   Access 4 Getting to the Bill Gies Recreation Centre is not difficult.  It is located west of the traditional town of Wellesley at the west side of Waterloo Region.  It is at the end of Queens Bush Road at Hutchison Road.  It is 12 km from Highway 7-8 and there is plenty of rural driving to get to Wellesley so proper planning during the winter months is important as snow can be a real issue.  There is plenty of parking on site.  At the time of writing, there were no public transit options to get to Wellesley or the Rec Centre.  Getting around the arena is not a problem at all and the washroom facilities are adequate for the size of the facility. Return on Investment 4 PJHL hockey offers some of the best returns on investment possible.  Tickets for the Applejacks are $12 with discounts for students, seniors and children.  Tickets must be purchased at the door and cash or debit are accepted.  Children 5 and under are free.  Parking is free and the concession prices are good.  The quality of hockey is good and fans will have the opportunity to watch the action from an arena that is modern, clean, bright and comfortable.  Extras 3 An extra mark for the unique name and identity of the Applejacks that closely relates to the community. An extra mark for the Bill Gies Recreation Centre as a community hub. An extra mark for the Bill Gies Recreation Centre as a new, bright and modern facility. Final Thoughts The Bill Gies Recreation Centre is a new, modern, clean facility which is home to a Junior C hockey team that has the support of the community.  The Wellesley Applejacks offer a fun experience for fans and at the end, the “A is for Apple … J is for Jacks” jingle might just be stuck in their heads! Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on YouTube , Twitter , Threads  and Instagram @profan9.

Photos by Peter Miles, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Stelios Kyriakides Stadium Democracy Ave Paphos, Cyprus Pafos FC website Stelios Kyriakides Stadium website Year Opened: 1985 Capacity: 9,394 Fun in the Sun Following Pafos FC Pafos FC were only formed as recently as 2014 following a merger of AEP Paphos and AEK Kouklia. It was a marriage borne out of mutual convenience. AEP, themselves a result of a merger of APOP Paphos and Evagoras in 2000, were in severe financial trouble in the second tier while Kouklia had just been relegated from the top flight. The aim was to form a more financially stable club competing regularly in the top division. The club were promoted into the First Division in 2016/17 as runners up to champions Alki Oronklini. Food & Beverage 4 Under the main stand is a small kiosk selling soft drinks, crisps, confectionery, and warm Cypriot snacks. The kiosk sells a good variety of snacks including fresh koupes (also known as kibbeh), a snack made of bulgar wheat and minced meat; it’s really popular in the whole Levantine region. The usual range of sodas like Coke and Fanta are available in plastic bottles. No alcohol is available. The flavorsome koupes with a cold drink are perfect on a balmy evening. Atmosphere 3 While the crowd is usually fairly modest, during my most recent visit the attendance was officially declared as 2,500, but in reality 800 was more accurate. Still, the vibe of the place is welcoming and a small section of younger fans wave flags and bang a drum. The stadium is essentially two sided with visiting fans housed in open seating on the far side. The main stand is well appointed and while the roof covers only the central section of seats there is an option to move undercover if there is any rain. Music is played before the game and during halftime with the PA announcer reading the teams out just before kick off. The season tickets holders and VIPs are allocated the central section of seats in the main stand and there appears to be no option to purchase a ticket for this area. The roof extends past this section at either end so it is possible to buy a standard ticket and be undercover if required. The tickets do have a row and seat number, but the seats are actually unnumbered so you can effectively sit where you like within that sector. Neighborhood 5 The stadium is located around a five minute drive from the main tourist areas of Alykes Beach and Pachyammos. The harbor area features a castle and stunning waterfront, it really is fully geared up for a sunshine break. There are numerous restaurants in the tourist areas offering both local and western cuisine. They come with a wide range of prices from middle of the road to high end. All have on street seating to make the most of the beachfront location and most restaurants will have outdoor heating available should the sea breeze turn a little chilly. Paphos Harbour and Castle are well worth visiting and are littered with interesting sculptures, notably the work of local artist Yiota Ioannidou. As an internationally renowned tourist resort you will never be short of something to do or see. Local companies offer trips all around the island including the famous Aphrodite’s Rock. The choice is endless for high class hotels to self catering apartments, there will be accommodation to suit any pocket. Fans 4 As a mass tourism destination, the local fans are more than used to English speaking guests watching their games and they are friendly and welcoming. Attendance data should be viewed with skepticism as there is no electronic counting and attendances are rounded up for reporting purposes. During my visit, the actual attendance in the ground was under 1,000 but was reported as 2,500. I suspect normal attendances are higher than the match I attended as for locals at 15 degrees this would represent a chilly evening! The younger fans have formed an “ultras” group and they are happy to sing and shout throughout the game and are armed with some flags and a big drum. Access 4 The stadium is on a main road, Democracy Avenue, which leads away from the main tourist areas and is around half way between the highway to Larnaca and the beach areas. It would take around 45 minutes to walk to the stadium from the tourist areas. Buses 1 and 2 stop very close to the stadium and the huge floodlights are easy to see from miles around. There is ample free parking outside the main stand and in surrounding streets. Tickets cost 15 euros and are available from concrete kiosks outside the stadium in the car park. There are no bags allowed in the stadium and body searches are made, although cameras are permitted. Once you are in your section you cannot move to another as the central sector is fenced off. You can, however, sit anywhere you like within your sector. The egress into the arena is about halfway up the main stand and I saw no specific areas for disabled supporters. The refreshments kiosk and lavatories are located at the mezzanine level of the main stand. Return on Investment 3 For the general standard of Cypriot football, 15 euros for a ticket seems a little expensive compared to comparable European nations. However, as an overall experience it is thoroughly enjoyable. Free parking and easy access offset the cost of the ticket and the price of snacks and drinks are reasonable. Only standard tickets are available. There appeared to be no tickets available for the central section of the main stand. Extras 2 There is a team sheet available from the main entrance, strangely the Greek players are shown in Greek alphabet and foreign players in roman script. There are no other souvenirs or merchandise of any sort available. Final Thoughts While the standard of play is not the highest you will ever see, I would still recommend Cyprus for a winter break for guaranteed football in pleasant warm temperatures surrounded by beguiling coastal and mountain scenery.

Photo Courtesy of Travis S. Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.27 Warhawk Field Warhawk Way & Peyton Dr Monroe, LA 71203 UL-Monroe Warhawks website Warhawk Field website Year Opened: 1983 Capacity: 1,800 Warhawk Field: A Family-Friendly Ballpark The ULM Warhawk baseball experience at Warhawk Field provides a nice atmosphere in a traditional small college baseball environment. From bleacher seating in the main grandstand, to tailgating seating along the baselines and a kids playground in the courtyard, the Warhawk baseball experience is family friendly. Warhawk Field was constructed in 1983 and features a seating capacity of 1,800. Despite serving as home field for the Warhawks for over thirty years, the ballpark maintains a modern feel and clean look. The ULM Warhawks hail from the Sun Belt Conference in NCAA Division I. Food & Beverage 2 Warhawk Field provides the basic ballpark staples including hot dogs, nachos, and soda. Quality and Variety of Food Options . There are two concession locations built into the walkways leading into the seating areas. However, typically only the stand located closer to the first base side of the main grandstand is open. The main entree options include hot dogs, nachos, and Frito pie for $4 each. Chili and cheese are available on hot dogs at no extra charge. Snack items include peanuts ($4), popcorn ($3), pretzels ($3.50), candy ($2), and chips ($2). The concessions experience could be enhanced with a featured or more unique item on the menu, plus maybe local vendor food cart in the courtyard. However, your ballpark basics are covered. Variety of Drink Options . Warhawk Field features bottled Coca-Cola products for $3.50. Bottled Dasani water is available for $3, while Powerade options are $4. Alcohol is not sold at Warhawk Field. Recommendation . Featuring Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs, you can’t go wrong with a good dog at a baseball game. Atmosphere 4 The atmosphere at Warhawk Field is a great fit for baseball traditionalists and traveling families. Stadium Aesthetics . For a ballpark that’s over 30 years old, Warkhawk Field has certainly aged well. This is a credit to the university community for recent upgrades and upkeep. With permanent seating that wraps from first to third bases, the view of the main grandstand is impressive upon driving up. There will be little doubt that you’ve arrived to a legitimate college baseball ballpark. The main grandstand features a small awning which provides shade to the seats directly behind home plate. Warhawk Field features a natural grass playing surface and the outfield wall dimensions are 330-400-300. Behind the main grandstand adjacent to first base is a kid’s playground, which really adds to the family friendly environment at the ballpark. The playground sits in a grassy courtyard which wraps around the area behind the main grandstand. Behind the right field wall you’ll notice the Doe’s Eat Place sign. A free meal is waiting for fans if a Warhawks player smashes a home run into the sign. The scoreboard features a small video display in addition to a traditional board. You’ll notice four retired numbers on the center field wall memorializing past Warhawk greats. Also, you can’t miss the banners along the walkways behind the grandstand featuring past ULM baseball legends. In-Game Promotions and Entertainment . Expect to see a few on-field promotions (such as a kid’s base race) as well as games over the PA, including trivia. If you have the dirtiest car in the parking lot, you just might win a free car wash. Seat Location Recommendations . There are several different seating areas for you to take in a Warhawks baseball game. Obviously, the seats directly behind home plate provide an unmatched view of the field, plus the comfort a bleacher back seat and shade of the overhead awning. In the main grandstand to the left and right of the bleacher backs are regular bleacher seats. Down both third and first baselines are opportunities to plop a tailgate chair next to the brick wall. The area down third baseline is specifically set-up for tailgating with picnic tables and small overhead coverings. You can also grab a seat behind the left field wall. Neighborhood 3 Located in northeastern Louisiana, Monroe is the eighth largest city in the state with a population of about 48,000. Warhawk Field is situated on the northeast corner of the University of Louisiana-Monroe campus, adjacent to other athletics facilities including Malone Stadium , home to Warhawk football. The campus environment offers a safe and cozy atmosphere for visiting fans, while restaurants and other attractions are located within a couple of miles nearby campus. Where to Eat . There are plenty of restaurants in the greater Monroe area worth a visit. Some of the local favorites include Enoch’s Irish Pub & Cafe (507 Louisville), Pickle Barrel (1827 Ave Of America), and Danken Trail B-B-Q (7712 Desiard St). Not Just Pie (2117 Forsythe Ave) is a great local stop for a tasty assortment of pies, plus you can also order off their lunch menu (try the roast beef poboy). Attractions & Entertainment . Just across the Ouachita River in West Monroe is the headquarters for one of Louisiana’s most popular families, the Robertsons. Headliners of the now famous Duck Dynasty series, fans of the show should definitely make a stop at the Duck Commander Warehouse (117 Kings Ln), a location often seen on the series. The Louisiana Purchase Gardens & Zoo (701 Kansas Ln) is a pretty neat smaller zoo which allows you to get a little closer to the animals with smaller crowds. The zoo just opened a new splash pad which is great for the kids. The Chennault Aviation & Military Museum of Louisiana (701 Kansas Ln) is a free museum which honors the aviation and military history of northeast Louisiana. Another nice stop for traveling families is the Northeast Louisiana Children’s Museum (323 Walnut S). Where to Stay . The Courtyard by Marriott Hotel – Monroe Airport (4915 Pecanland Mall Dr) is located near the ULM campus and the Monroe Regional Airport. Fans 3 ULM fans consistently support Warhawk baseball. Typically, crowd sizes at Warhawk Field are on the upper end of the average attendance in the Sun Belt Conference. Typical Attendance . Weekend series at Warhawk Field pull in crowds which usually range between 700 – 1,500 in attendance. When the Warhawks are in the midst of a 40 win season, crowds usually swell around 1,500 or more. The Sun Belt has undergone a lot of change in recent years which has changed up the common weekend opponents. This has likely contributed to wide ranges in crowd sizes. No doubt, the biggest weekend series of the year will be against the arch-rival UL-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns. Crowd Noise & Engagement . ULM fans are vocal and support their Warhawks. Fans typically get into the game during big plays or blown calls. The crowd will clap in support of their pitcher closing out a team in the final inning. Access 4 Warhawk Field is very accessible, both getting to the stadium and moving around once inside. Transit to and from Stadium . Situated in the northeast corner of Monroe, Warhawk Field is easily accessed off I-20 from both the west and east. Take Highway 165 north and then exit east on Desiard Street / Highway 80. You can then turn left onto Warhawk Way which will take you to the stadium area. Parking . As you approach the stadium, you’ll notice a paved parking lot to the left going down third baseline. When this lot is full, there’s ample parking a little further down in the gravel/grass lot adjacent to first baseline. Parking is free around Warkhawk Field. Ticketing & Gate Entry . The ticket booth and main entrance is located directly behind the center of the main grandstand. Lines are typically short and you shouldn’t experience any issues getting your tickets. Credit cards are accepted here. You’ll also quickly breeze through the entrance into the courtyard behind the grandstand. Moving around the stadium . Getting around the ballpark is easy. Stairways are located at the ends of the grandstand and elevated walkways are accessible behind the grandstand. The main concourse is at the bottom of the seating area and wraps around. The concourse, aisles and rows are spacious and allow for good flow. Restrooms are clean and adequate for typical crowds. Return on Investment 4 The return on your investment for the ULM baseball experience at Warhawk Field is pretty typical. General admission for adults runs as low as $10. Concessions are a little higher than expected, but not much more than the average. Parking is free. Overall, you get to see a ballclub which is usually in the hunt for a post-season berth at a comfortable stadium which provides a traditional baseball atmosphere. Extras 3 The ULM baseball experience comes with a few “extra” components which enhance the overall experience at the ballpark. The retired numbers on the center field wall and banners around the exterior walkways add a nice touch. It’s always nice to see ballparks memorialize past accomplishments. For traveling families, it’s definitely a bonus to have a playground area where the little ones can take a break from the on-field action. If you are in need of some Warhawk gear, there’s an apparel trailer behind the main grandstand in the courtyard.

Photos by Jon Hart, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Furst Gymnasium 2501 Amsterdam Avenue New York, NY, 10033 Yeshiva Maccabees men’s basketball website Furst Gymnasium website Year Opened: 1985 Capacity: 1,000 The Marvelous Maccs In New York City, a town where professional sports rule, Yeshiva University basketball is soaring. The Maccabees are currently 21-1, their only loss being their opening game, an away tilt at Occidental in California. If they stay on course, the Maccs will be in the upcoming Division 3 NCAA basketball tournament, which the Maccs made in 2018. For elite college basketball, Yeshiva basketball offers it at a more than reasonable price: Free. Right now, it’s simply one of the best deals in college sports. Food & Beverage 0 Less is more. There are no concessions. However, fans may bring their own snacks. In the surrounding, bustling Washington Heights neighborhood, there’s no shortage of food options. Atmosphere 4 The Maccs are streaking, and the positive vibes are flowing. It’s D3, no athletic scholarships, so the amenities aren’t what you’d find at Madison Square Garden. It’s general admission and seats are benches. Everyone’s very close to the action. There’s an overhead track that circles the court Neighborhood 4 The Washington Heights neighborhood is on the rise, and there’s no shortage of food options, from slices to Mexican. Check out Where To East in Washington Heights for some of the best places to eat in the area. Fans 4 The Maccs are no secret to their student body, and they turn out to root for their classmates. They’re enthusiastic, as well as polite. If there was heckling, it would be frowned upon. Access 4 By public transportation, the Center is just a few blocks away from #1 subway stop. A ride from Penn Station and Madison Square Garden takes about 40 minutes. For drivers, you can hunt and peck for a space or pay too much for a garage. Yeshiva is close to several major thruways. Security is tight at the Center. Expect the airport treatment at the door, albeit more polite. Return on Investment 5 Again, it’s free, so the only investment is travel and your time. If you appreciate basketball, the Maccs are definitely worth your time. It’s high-level basketball in a small place. Extras 2 Former New York Knick, ex-Georgetown star Michael Sweetney is an assistant coach for the Maccs. Between breaks, Jewish music is played. Final Thoughts The Knicks are, well, the Knicks. St. John’s is rebuilding. Right now, Yeshiva is the best team in town. And it’s free, one of the best deals in college sports. Yeshiva basketball won’t be a secret for long. Jon Hart is @ManVersusBall

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Hooker Field 450 Commonwealth Blvd E. Martinsville, VA 24112 Martinsville Mustangs website Hooker Field website Year Opened: 1988 Capacity: 3,200 The Stadium, Not The Speedway Baseball has a long and storied history in the city of Martinsville, Virginia. The city hosted the Martinsville Manufacturers of the Bi-State League from 1934-1941 and then the Martinsville A’s from 1945-1949. However, it would not be until 1988 when baseball returned to the city, with the Martinsville Phillies of the Appalachian League moving to the newly opened English Field, as it was known at the time. In 1999, the club became an Astros affiliate and changed its name accordingly, and the franchise stayed until 2003. Baseball was once again absent in 2004, but in 2005, the Martinsville Mustangs of the Coastal Plain League came to town. English Field later would change its name to Hooker Field in reference to a local furniture company. The Mustangs continue to play collegiate summer wood bat ball at Hooker Field today. Food & Beverage 3 There are several concession options at Hooker Field. The main stand behind home plate offers a number of options including hamburgers and cheeseburgers, hot dogs (including the option to get one with chili), chips, and drinks. Prices are reasonable with nothing costing more than around $5. Down the third baseline you will find a smaller stand up a small wooden staircase that looks like it is falling apart. This stand sells drinks, popcorn, hot pretzels, and Sno-cones, with the latter coming in a souvenir helmet. Further down the third baseline is a beer stand, unusual for the collegiate summer level, as well as a beer garden area for those of age. Although stands do take credit cards, the workers have to enter the numbers manually so it will generally be quicker to pay cash. Keep in mind the concession stand may shut down around the seventh inning so plan accordingly. Atmosphere 4 Despite being less than 35 years old, Hooker Field is already showing its age. There are a small number of chairbacks behind home plate reserved for season tickets and multi-game plan holders. For fans attending only a single game, there are bleachers without backs further down both lines. All seats offer an excellent view of the field. There is also a scoreboard in left-center field which shows the linescore and other basic information. Despite the rather run-down setting, the team does a lot to keep fans engaged with between innings contests and team staff roving the stands keeping fans engaged throughout the ballgame. As the team is called the Mustangs, horse sounds will often be played over the PA system. Although the team apparently has a costumed mustang mascot, he was not present when we visited. Neighborhood 2 Martinsville is a small city located in the middle of a very rural area of Virginia. There is not a lot to do here. A few restaurants, mainly chains, are located in town and there are a couple of small museums as well. The main attraction is Martinsville Motor Speedway, which despite the name is actually in nearby Ridgeway. In addition to hosting NASCAR Sprint Cup races, the speedway hosts various other races throughout the year and it is worth checking out if a Mustangs game coincides with a race of some sort. There are a few options in Martinsville itself along Main Street and the surrounding area, including Raina’s, a local Italian eatery, and Hugo’s, a popular sports bar. Ultimately though, while Martinsville residents will claim the city has small-town charm, there isn’t a whole lot to offer here. Fans 3 There were only a few hundred fans in attendance when we visited in a 3,200 seat stadium. Filling a ballpark to 10% capacity is generally not a good look. However, those fans in attendance were a passionate, engaged mix of seasoned fans and young families who cheered on the Mustangs, at least as long as they were at the game. Unfortunately, many of the fans left early despite the game moving at a fairly quick pace. It is nice to see engaged fans, but it would be even nicer if there were more of them and they stayed longer. Access 3 US Route 58 is the main road you will use to access Martinsville, although it actually bypasses the city itself via Ridgeway so you will need to take other roads for the last couple miles. This is not an interstate highway and does have traffic lights at various points but with little traffic on this stretch, you can make good time. Parking at the stadium itself is easy in a lot right next to the entrance, but keep in mind parking too close will put your car in foul ball territory. Also, some GPS apps seem to want to take you in the exit or out the entrance. Be sure to pay attention to all signs and follow them, not your GPS, if they contradict each other. Return on Investment 5 Tickets are just $6 for general admission seats and you can get steep discounts for buying multi-game packs or season tickets Holders of multi-game packs also have the option of buying reserved chairback seats behind home plate. Concessions are affordable and parking is free. All in all, a Mustangs game is a great value for baseball fans, whether they are solo travelers, seasoned fans, families, or groups. While fans coming from out of the area may spend a bit on gas to get here, that will depend on where you are coming from. Like the concession stands, credit cards are accepted at the ticket booth but also have to be entered manually. Again, it may be quicker to pay cash, particularly if it is close to game time and you are eager to get into the stadium. Extras 3 There is a SpongeBob-themed bounce house located down the first base line behind the bleachers for kids to play in. Meanwhile, there is an area in front of the third base bleachers for kids to play catch or cornhole in. Although there is a sign indicating it is not a kids’ play area, it seems to be widely ignored and the presence of cornhole boards would seem to contradict that message. A third and final star for all the friendly staff here at Hooker Field. Final Thoughts While it is hard to believe Hooker Field hosted affiliated ball less than 20 years ago, it seems to have found its niche as a collegiate summer league venue. While it would be nice to see more fans show up, those who do show up will find that a Mustangs game is a great experience. Although it is not located close to much of anything else, if you’re in the Martinsville area over the summer, be sure to check out a Mustangs game. It will be worth your while.